Henry Francis Downing
Encyclopedia
Henry Francis Downing (1846 – 1928), was an African American
sailor
, politician
, dramatist and novelist. He served in the U.S. Navy (1864-1865 and 1872-1875). In 1887, Grover Cleveland
appointed him consul
to Luanda
, Angola
, but Downing resigned in 1888. In 1895, Downing traveled to London
, where he remained until 1917. While in London, he published several plays and a novel, The American Cavalryman: A Liberian Romance (1917).
Downing lived in New York City during his final years. Black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux
based two films on Downing's literary work. Micheaux's Thirty Years Later (1928) is based on a story/novella by Downing, and the film A Daughter of the Congo
(1930) is based on Downing's The American Cavalryman.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
, politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, dramatist and novelist. He served in the U.S. Navy (1864-1865 and 1872-1875). In 1887, Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
appointed him consul
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
to Luanda
Luanda
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative center. It has a population of at least 5 million...
, Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
, but Downing resigned in 1888. In 1895, Downing traveled to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he remained until 1917. While in London, he published several plays and a novel, The American Cavalryman: A Liberian Romance (1917).
Downing lived in New York City during his final years. Black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Devereaux Micheaux was an American author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films...
based two films on Downing's literary work. Micheaux's Thirty Years Later (1928) is based on a story/novella by Downing, and the film A Daughter of the Congo
A Daughter of the Congo
A Daughter of the Congo is a 1930 race film directed, written and produced by Oscar Micheaux. The film is loosely based on the novel The American Cavalryman , by African American novelist and playwright Henry Francis Downing....
(1930) is based on Downing's The American Cavalryman.
Dramas
- The Shuttlecock; or Israel in Russia: An Original Drama in Four Acts (1913)
- Human Nature, or The Traduced Wife: An Original English Domestic Drama, in Four Acts (1913)
- The Arabian Lovers: Or the Sacred jar; an Eastern Tale in Four Acts (1913)
- Placing Paul's Play; A Miniature Comedy (1913)
- Lord Eldred's Other Daughter: An Original Comedy in Four Acts (1913)
- Incentives: A Drama in Four Acts (1914)
- A New Coon in Town: A Farcical Comedy Made in England (1914)
- Voodoo: A Drama in Four Acts (1914)