Rothschild "Polly" Francis (1891–1963) was a self-educated activist in the Virgin Islands.[1] He fought for rights in the press, citizenship for Virgin Islanders, and racial equality.[1][2] To advance these goals he created a newspaper, The Emancipator, spoke in front of a Senate Committee, and engaged in civil disobedience.[1] His influence still has a large impact on the U.S. Virgin Islands today.
Rothschild Francis was born in 1891 in Saint Thomas of the Virgin Islands while they were under the control of Denmark.[1] He lived there through the U.S. acquisition of the Virgin Islands, moved to New York in 1931, and died in 1963.[1] He created The Emancipator in 1921, a newspaper which pushed for social justice and civil liberties in the U.S. Virgin Islands.[2]
- ^ a b c d e Forbes, Megan DuVarney (2016). "'No Sacrifice is too Great': Rothschild Francis' fight for Virgin Islanders' civil rights and self-government in an age of U.S. expansion, 1917-1931". California State University: 1–39. ProQuest 1821965451 – via ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.
- ^ a b Boyer, Williams W (1991). "Rothschild Francis and Freedom of the Press in the U.S. Virgin Islands". Caribbean Affairs. 4 (4): 129–143.