Octavius Catto's vast contributions to the cause of civil rights were outlined for an audience of nearly 40 by Andy Waskie, a Civil War historian, professor of foreign languages at Temple University, and member of the museum's board of directors.
Waskie's presentation highlighted the effects Catto had not only on Philadelphia, but on the nation as a whole, as a prominent black educator, intellectual, athlete, and civil rights activist. In short, he was a Renaissance man.
Though Catto's life began in Charleston, S.C., he soon found his way to Philadelphia after his father became a Presbyterian minister. After arriving in Philadelphia, Catto was enrolled in the burgeoning Institute for Colored Youth (ICY), where he graduated as the valedictorian.
Catto later went on to teach at ICY, eventually becoming dean of the boys' school. Catto's intellect and zeal for education eventually earned him the honor of being the first black member of the Franklin Institute.
After the Civil War began, Catto and many other prominent abolitionists were shocked at the treatment of black veterans. Along with the help of other African Americans in Philadelphia, Catto was able to use civil disobedience to end the segregation of trolley cars that ran on city streets.
In 1863, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee invaded a virtually defenseless Pennsylvania, shocking the entire country. Calls from the governor went out to the public to assemble the state National Guard. Catto and several others' efforts to enlist in the Army at that time were denied for technical reasons.
