Clyburn, James (1940-…), has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1993. Clyburn, a Democrat, represents a district covering much of south-central South Carolina. Before he became a congressman, Clyburn was a public servant and civil rights activist.
James Enos Clyburn was born in Sumter, South Carolina, on July 21, 1940. He became active in the civil rights movement at an early age. As a student at South Carolina State College (now South Carolina State University), Clyburn helped organize civil rights marches and demonstrations. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from the school in 1961. He then worked as a teacher, employment counselor, and director of youth programs. He directed the state farmworkers commission from 1968 to 1971.
Clyburn became a member of the staff of South Carolina Governor John C. West in 1971. From 1974 to 1992, he served as South Carolina’s human affairs commissioner. In 1992, Clyburn became the first African American elected to the U.S. Congress from South Carolina in nearly 100 years. Clyburn is a relative of George Washington Murray, the state’s last African American U.S. representative before Clyburn.
As a congressman, Clyburn has focused on expanding educational and job opportunities in poor communities. He has also supported investing in the development of infrastructure (public services and facilities). Clyburn served as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus from 1999 to 2001. He served as the Democratic House whip (assistant leader) from 2007 to 2011, when his party held a House majority. He became the highest ranking African American representative up until that time. Clyburn served as majority whip again from 2019 to 2023. He served as the assistant minority leader from 2011 to 2019, and again beginning in 2023. In 2022, Clyburn was awarded the Spingarn Medal for his achievements in politics and civil rights.
See also Black Caucus, Congressional; Civil rights movement.
