FLIPPER150 | PUBLICATIONS
FEATURED PUBLICATION | WEST POINT PRESS
Henry O. Flipper: West Point's First Black Graduate
An Annotated Autobiography
Edited by Rory McGovern and Tony McGowan
West Point Press published this annotated edition of Henry O. Flipper's autobiography to help contemporary readers better understand Flipper's original account and the historical world in which he lived.
The editors' annotations provide additional context for the people, places and events Flipper discusses; illuminate Reconstruction and the Black experience at West Point; and situate his autobiography within a broader literary and historical tradition.
West Point Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-959631-07-1
eBook ISBN: 978-1-959631-13-2
Why the Annotated Edition Matters
Flipper's Voice
Historical Context
A Broader Legacy
Preserves Flipper's firsthand account and allows modern readers to encounter his experiences through his own writing.
The annotations help readers understand the people, places, institutions and historical circumstances surrounding Flipper's story.
Places Flipper's memoir within the histories of Reconstruction, African American life at West Point, and the African American autobiographical tradition.
In this reflection, retired Army Col. Charles D. Allen, West Point Class of 1978, examines Flipper’s legacy in the U.S. Army and the path that followed for generations of African American officers. Allen also shares a personal connection: his own class graduated approximately 100 years after Flipper, and a framed portrait of Flipper has held a place in his home for years.
The legacy of Henry O. Flipper is long and significant. The institution that actively resisted enrollment and development of African American officers now has an award in his name to graduating cadets at the Academy who exhibit "leadership, self-discipline, and perseverance in the face of unusual difficulties."Â
-LTC (R) Chuck Allen, USMA 1978
Flipper In The News
A Life Documented in the Press
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Explore a growing digital archive of newspaper articles and historical publications documenting Henry O. Flipper’s remarkable journey—from his appointment to West Point and military service to his later career, vindication, and enduring legacy.
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Each entry will feature original source information and access to the historical record, preserving the story of Henry O. Flipper as it was reported across generations.
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