W, Williams George: - George W. Williams (1849-1891) was an African American historian, minister, and politician who made significant contributions to the study of African American history. He was born into slavery in Pennsylvania but escaped to Canada at the age of 14. He later fought in the Union Army during the Civil War and was eventually ordained as a Baptist minister. Williams is best known for his two-volume work, "History of the Negro Race in America," which he published in 1882 and 1883. The work is considered one of the earliest and most comprehensive histories of African Americans in the United States. In addition to his work as a historian, Williams was also active in politics, serving as the first African American elected to the Ohio State Legislature in 1879. His work was highly respected during his lifetime, and his contributions to African American history have continued to be recognized in the decades since his death.