COLUMBUS — George Washington Williams' achievements as a writer, historian and Ohio's first black legislator are now on permanent display in the General Assembly.

        Gov. Bob Taft and a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday dedicated a room in the statehouse as a memorial to Mr. Williams.

Williams

        A Hamilton County Republican, Mr. Williams broke Ohio's political color barrier in 1879 when he won his second race for state representative.

        Though he served one term in the Ohio House, he is also remembered for his service as a Union soldier in the Civil War, as a clergyman, a lawyer and a writer, as author of the two-volume History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880.

        “He did all that before the age of 41,” state Rep. Ray Miller, D-Columbus, told a capacity crowd gathered in the statehouse atrium. “There should be recognition of this great American in the state Capitol.”

        The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board set aside a room called the Southwest Passageway to contain the memorial. Furnished in pieces reminiscent of his time, the room features a bust of Mr. Williams, information about his life, and portraits and contributions of other black legislators who followed him.

        Mr. Miller helped raise $250,000 from private donors to furnish and redecorate the room. He also praised former lawmaker and House Majority Leader William Mallory, D-Cincinnati, for his efforts to create the memorial.

        In Cincinnati, Mr. Williams worked as a newspaper columnist while studying law under Alphonso Taft, Gov. Bob Taft's great-great grandfather.

        Records show he died in England in 1891, at the age of 41. His grave is in Blackpool.

        “George Washington Williams overcame great obstacles in his life to make great achievements in his day,” Mr. Taft said. “I take great personal pride in the fact that he studied law under my great-great grandfather.”

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