The students of the Radical University: Robert P. Scott

Robert Powell Scott (b. 1857, d. June 9, 1940)
South Carolina.  Born free.  Mulatto.
Occupation: barber
Father's occupation: fan-maker

Robert P. Scott was born in South Carolina to Christiana and Tobias, free African Americans.  His father worked as a feather fan-maker.  His brother C. C. Scott, another student at the University of South Carolina.  Robert grew up in Charleston.

Robert registered as a student at the University of South Carolina at some point between February 1874 and January 1876.  He was a college student following the modern studies course.  The university closed before he completed his degree.

After the university's closure, Robert returned to Charleston and worked as a school teacher and a barber.  He later moved to Florence, South Carolina.  In Florence, he continued his work as a barber and was a Sunday school superintendent.  In an article on former U of SC students, his brother writes that Robert was "a substantial citizen in Florence."

Robert died in Florence on June 9, 1940.  He is buried in the Unity and Friendship Society Cemetery in Charleston.

Sources:

1). "When Negroes Attended the State University", May 8, 1911. State (published as The State).  Page 9.

2). 1870; Census Place: Charleston Ward 1, Charleston, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1486; Page: 32B

3). 1880; Census Place: Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina; Roll: 1221; Page: 16C

4). 1900; Census Place: Florence, Florence, South Carolina; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 1241528

5). 1910; Census Place: Florence Ward 1, Florence, South Carolina; Roll: T624_1457; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 0022; FHL microfilm: 1375470

6). 1920; Census Place: Florence, Florence, South Carolina; Roll: T625_1695; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 44

7). 1930; Census Place: Florence, Florence, South Carolina; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0010; FHL microfilm: 2341930

8). 1940; Census Place: Florence, Florence, South Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-03808; Page: 15A; Enumeration District: 21-12

9). South Carolina Department of Archives and History; Columbia, South Carolina; South Carolina Death Records; Year Range: 1925-1949; Death County or Certificate Range: Florence