Robert Elliott linklaters obituary, Chairman Manulife Cambodia & Manulife Myanmar dead

Robert Brown Elliott, born on August 11, 1842, in Liverpool, England, and passing away on August 09, 1884, in New Orleans, Louisiana, played a significant role in American politics, serving as a United States Representative from 1871 to 1874.

While the early life of Elliott remains veiled in mystery, recent scholars propose that he was born in Liverpool to West Indian parents. It is believed that shortly after the Civil War, he jumped ship in Boston Harbor and emerged as the associate editor of the South Carolina Leader, a Black-owned Republican newspaper in Charleston, by March 1867.

Elliott’s legacy is rooted in his passionate advocacy for equal rights for Black people. As a Republican leader in South Carolina, he fought against discrimination in various spheres, including the courts, voting practices, schools, and public accommodations. He also fervently advocated for federal aid for schools, emphasizing the role of education in achieving equality.

Despite his impactful contributions, Robert Brown Elliott faced a tragic end, passing away in New Orleans at the age of 41 due to malarial fever. Unfortunately, he died in impoverished circumstances, leaving behind a legacy of eloquence, charisma, and an unwavering commitment to the fight for civil rights.

Reflecting on Elliott’s untimely death, Frederick Douglass, who knew him personally, wrote to the editor of the New York Globe on September 6, 1884, expressing hope for another leader of Elliott’s caliber to emerge: “…I, with thousands who knew the ability of young Elliott, was hoping and waiting to see him emerge from his late comparative obscurity and take his place again in the halls of Congress. But alas! He is gone, and we can only hope that the same power that gave us one Elliott will give us another in the near future. Frederick Douglass, Washington, D.C., Aug 30.”