Robert Carlos De Large

Born: March 15, 1842 in Aiken, South Carolina

Died: February 14, 1874 in Charleston, South Carolina

United States Representative, 1871–1873

Republican from South Carolina

• Robert Carlos De Large was elected as a Republican Representative to the 42nd Congress joining four other African Americans (two also from South Carolina) who served in the House of Representatives during that term.
• His father was a free Black tailor who was also a slaveholder, and his mother was of Haitian descent. 
• In a speech from the floor of the House of Representatives made on April 6, 1871, De Large criticized corruption in both political parties, condemned Blacks for trusting white carpetbaggers from the North, urged that former Confederates be allowed to return to politics, and spoke in favor of the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. 
• After only one term, De Large returned to South Carolina and declined to run due to poor health. Alonzo Ransier, an African-American, succeeded De Large in the House.
• De Large died of consumption at the age of 31 on February 14, 1874 in Charleston.

Robert Carlos De Large

1875

Print Collection

Photographs and Prints Division

NYPL Digital Collections: Hon. Robert C. De Large, Representative from South Carolina.