Reply #1: A word about Edward Everett--turns out Obama owes him one. [View All]

[Bicoastal]

According to Wikipedia, Mr. Everett was president of Harvard in addition to being a Representative and Senator from Massachusetts. In fact, his term as University President coincided with Harvard admitting its first black student, sometime between 1846 and 1849.

This forward-looking act caused no shortage of controversy, but apparently Evertt stood up for tearing down academic segregation. He said (in reference to the student) "If this boy passes the examinations he will be admitted and if the white students choose to withdraw, all the income of the college will be devoted to his education."

He may not have been the world's best orator, but he seems to have been a genuinely decent guy. Lincoln may be Barack Obama's inspiration, but Everett was one who made it possible for him to get his law degree a century later.