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Alfred W. Harris

Member From: 1881 - 1888

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  • Bio: Alfred W. Harris introduced the bill that chartered Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute (later Virginia State University) during his time in the House of Delegates (1881–1888). Born enslaved in Fairfax County, during the American Civil War (1861–1865) his family moved to Alexandria, where he attended a school operated by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands and later the city’s first segregated public schools. He won a seat on the Alexandria common council as a twenty-year-old and became a lawyer. Harris relocated in Petersburg and in 1881 won the first of four consecutive terms term in the House of Delegates, representing Dinwiddie County. He played key roles in Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute’s first years, serving as its de facto treasurer and the first secretary of the board of visitors. Harris strongly supported the Readjuster and later Republican Party leader William Mahone, even backing his candidate in the 1888 congressional election against John Mercer Langston. After leaving the House of Delegates, Harris served as a Newport News specials customs inspector and a Petersburg census enumerator. He resigned his post after being arrested and exonerated twice on charges of theft. Following a stroke, Harris died in his Petersburg home in 1920.

  • Other Notable Service and/or Elected Offices: City Council of Alexandria
Session District District Number Party Leadership Committees
1881-1882 Dinwiddie Readjuster Courts of Justice
Courts of Justice Committee
Library Committee
Manufactures and Mechanics Arts
Retrenchment and Economy Committee (Dates Unknown)
1883-1884 Dinwiddie Readjuster Courts of Justice Committee
Library Committee
Manufactures and Mechanics Arts Committee
Retrenchment and Economy Committee
Retrenchment and the Economy
1885-1887 Dinwiddie Readjuster Courts of Justice Committee (Dates Unknown)
Immigration Committee
Library Committee (Dates Unknown)
Manufactures and Mechanics Arts Committee (Dates Unknown)
Privileges and Elections Committee
Retrenchment and Economy Committee (Dates Unknown)
Schools and Colleges Committee
1887-1888 Dinwiddie Readjuster Courts of Justice Committee (Dates Unknown)
Library Committee (Dates Unknown)
Manufactures and Mechanics Arts Committee (Dates Unknown)
Public Property Committee
Retrenchment and Economy Committee (Dates Unknown)
Schools and Colleges Committee

*The information within this interactive and searchable application has been researched extensively by the House Clerk’s Office. As with any historical records of this age and breadth, there may be discrepancies and/or inconsistencies within records obtained from a variety of credible sources. Any feedback is encouraged at history@house.virginia.gov.

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