Flipper, Henry Ossian, 1856-1940

Variant names

Dates:

Birth 1856-03-21

Death 1940-05-03

Biographical notes:

Army officer.

From the description of Henry Ossian Flipper letter, 1895. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79454320

Henry Ossian Flipper (b. 1856 d. 1940) was a soldier, engineer, and author. Henry Flipper attended Atlanta University from 1872 -1873. In 1873 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, where he became the first African American graduate. Flipper served in the all-Negro 10th Cavalry Regiment in the Southwest and was accused of embezzling funds in 1881. He was cleared of this charge, but found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and dismissed. Flipper went on to become a successful engineer working in the Western U.S., Mexico, and Venezuela. In 1919 Flipper served as an assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. In 1976 the Army exonerated Flipper and awarded him an honorable discharge.

From the description of Henry O. Flipper Collection. 1914-1978. (Australian National University). WorldCat record id: 51298509