David Augustus Straker

Here stood the home of an eminent Detroit Negro who distinguished himself as a lawyer, politician, and writer. A native of Barbados, Straker (1842-1908) came to America in 1867 and received a law degree from Howard University four years later. After a varied career in the South, he moved to Detroit and became counsel to William W. Ferguson, well-known black businessman. Straker won the celebrated 1890 case against the white owner of a saloon and restaurant who refused to serve Ferguson and a friend. Active in Republican politics as well as in legal affairs, Straker was elected circuit court commissioner. He wrote several books including a biography of Toussaint L’Ouverture and published and edited a weekly edition of the Detroit Advocate. Known as the “black Irish lawyer” because of his accent, Straker battled throughout his life for civil rights and racial pride.