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'''Roscoe Conkling Simmons, Sr.''' (June 20, 1881 – April 27, 1951), also known as '''R. C. Simmons''', was a journalist, orator, civic leader, and staunch [[Republican]] from [[Mississippi]] who was a leader among black-and-tan factions, pro-civil rights GOP delegations in [[the South]].

'''Roscoe Conkling Simmons Sr.''' (June 20, 1881 – April 27, 1951), also known as '''R. C. Simmons''', was a journalist, orator, civic leader, and staunch [[Republican]] from [[Mississippi]] who was a leader among black-and-tan factions, pro-civil rights GOP delegations in [[the South]].

A nephew of renowned black leader [[Booker T. Washington]], Simmons' advocacy often shared the accommodationist tones similar to that of his uncle as well as [[Perry W. Howard, II]], who he befriended and associated with.

A nephew of renowned black leader [[Booker T. Washington]], Simmons' advocacy often shared the accommodationist tones similar to that of his uncle as well as [[Perry W. Howard, II]], who he befriended and associated with.

==Background==

==Background==

Simmons was born on June 20, 1881 to Emory Peter Simmons and the former Willie Murray. He was named after [[New York]] representative and senator [[Roscoe Conkling]], the leader of the congressional [[Stalwart]]s who resisted civil service reform in the late 1870s out of concern for the plight of Southern blacks.

Simmons was born on June 20, 1881, to Emory Peter Simmons and the former Willie Murray. He was named after [[New York]] representative and senator [[Roscoe Conkling]], the leader of the congressional [[Stalwart]]s who resisted civil service reform in the late 1870s out of concern for the plight of Southern blacks.

Reared in a humble environment, Simmons was sent by his uncle at the age of twelve to live with [[Ohio]] Republican senator [[Mark Hanna]],<ref name=biopage55>Sewell, George Alexander; Dwight, Margaret L. [https://books.google.com/books?id=z74vTOrw5mYC&pg=PA55#v=onepage&q&f=false Mississippi Black History Makers], p. 55. ''Google Books''. Retrieved November 20, 2021.</ref> an acolyte of President [[William McKinley]]. For a period of time, he also lived with Medill McCormick, a one-term U.S. senator from [[Illinois]].

Reared in a humble environment, Simmons was sent by his uncle at the age of twelve to live with [[Ohio]] Republican senator [[Mark Hanna]],<ref name=biopage55>Sewell, George Alexander; Dwight, Margaret L. [https://books.google.com/books?id=z74vTOrw5mYC&pg=PA55#v=onepage&q&f=false Mississippi Black History Makers], p. 55. ''Google Books''. Retrieved November 20, 2021.</ref> an acolyte of President [[William McKinley]]. For a period of time, he also lived with Medill McCormick, a one-term U.S. senator from [[Illinois]].

===Friendship with R. R. Church===

===Friendship with R. R. Church===

Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.<ref name=biopage55/> He founded ''The Memphis Sun'', which with financial backing from Robert R. Church, Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.<ref name=biopage55/>

Once garnering fame and recognition for his skills as a journalist and orator, Simmons helped promote Washington's causes that emphasized uplifting oneself economically, in addition to seeking blacks in the South for potential enrollment into Tuskegee Institute.<ref name=biopage55/> He founded ''The Memphis Sun'', which with financial backing from Robert R. Church Jr. beamed in business for six months in providing success stories and advice for black farmers.<ref name=biopage55/>

Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in [[Memphis]].<ref name=biopage55/> Although the effort was defeated by [[Jim Crow]] [[Democrats]], there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.<ref name=p.56>''Mississippi Black History Makers'', p. 56.</ref> In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president.

Forming a friendship with Church, the latter played a crucial role in the organization of the Church's Lincoln League that pushed for the election of black Tennesseans in [[Memphis]].<ref name=biopage55/> Although the effort was defeated by [[Jim Crow]] [[Democrats]], there were enough votes polled to appoint Church to the national GOP advisory board.<ref name=p.56>''Mississippi Black History Makers'', p. 56.</ref> In addition, a newly organized Lincoln League on the national level in 1919 elected Simmons to become its first president.