January 1, 2011

John Lucas was a prominent African-American lawyer who was elected to the state House of Representatives from Jefferson County in 1890. Shortly after his election, he garnered considerable attention by leading the fight against the Separate Coach Law of 1891. Though fighting for a losing cause, he was described in the local press as “a fluent debater” and the “ablest and most brilliant representative of his race in the state.” By 1893, Lucas had left the now more deeply segregated state, establishing a successful law practice in Chicago, Illinois.