This week in Affrilachian history: Sept. 13 through Sept. 19

Presented by The West Virginia Humanities Council

The following events happened on these dates in Affrilachian history. To learn more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at wvencyclopedia.org.

Sept. 13, 1848: Attorney J. R. Clifford was born in present Grant County. In 1887, Clifford became the first African American admitted to practice law before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. He was one of the first lawyers in the nation to challenge segregated schools.

Sept. 13, 1910: Musician Leon “Chu” Berry was born in Wheeling. He was one of the most highly regarded saxophonists of the Swing Era.

Sept. 16, 1950: Scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. was born in Keyser. Gates is one of the leading Black intellectuals in the United States. His books include Colored People: A Memoir, about growing up in Mineral County. He hosts the popular PBS program Finding Your Roots.

e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia is a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council. For more information contact the West Virginia Humanities Council, 1310 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25301; (304) 346-8500; or visit e-WV at www.wvencyclopedia.org.