Harris, Rencher Nicholas, 1900-1965.

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African American civic leader during the period following the Brown decision of 1954 and the Civil Rights Movement. Harris was the first African-American city councilman in Durham, N.C., and the first black man to sit on the Durham County Board of Education.

From the description of Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980; (bulk 1926-1965). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19595545

  • 1900, October 7: Born in Abingdon, Virginia
  • 1917: Graduated from Corey Memorial Institute in Portsmouth, Virginia
  • 1917 - 1918 : Attended Virginia Union University of Richmond
  • 1919 - 1920 : Attended Northwestern University School of Commerce
  • 1921: First employed by Banker's Fire Insurance Company
  • 1922: Married Plassie Williams of Durham, North Carolina
  • 1935: Appointed as Vice-Secretary of Banker's Fire Insurance Company
  • 1949: Ran for Durham City Council and was defeated
  • 1953: Elected to Durham City Council
  • 1957: Declined to run for a second term to City Council
  • 1958: Accepted appointment to fill an unexpired term on the Durham School Board
  • 1959: Reappointment for four-year term on School Board
  • 1962: Resigned from School Board due to ill health
  • 1965, January 4: Died in Durham, N.C.

From the guide to the Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Harris, Rencher Nicholas, 1900-1965. Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980; (bulk 1926-1965). Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Rencher Nicholas Harris Papers, 1851-1980 and undated, bulk 1926-1965 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bankers' Fire Insurance Company corporateBody
associatedWith Harris, Plassie Williams. person
associatedWith Lincoln Hospital (Durham, N.C.) corporateBody
associatedWith Mechanics and Farmers Banks (Durham, N.C.) corporateBody
associatedWith National Association for the Advancement of Colored People corporateBody
associatedWith North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company (Durham, N.C.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
North Carolina--Durham
North Carolina
Durham (N.C.)
Southern states
United States
Subject
Education
African American businesspeople
African American politicians
African Americans
African Americans
African Americans
Banks and banking
Civil rights movement
Insurance companies
Municipal governance
Public schools
Race relations
Real estate business
School integration
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1900

Death 1965

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