Anna Bustill Smith

Anna Bustill Smith was a pioneering African-American genealogist and author, known for her significant contributions to the documentation of Black history in the United States. Born into the prominent Bustill family of Philadelphia, she was a cousin of the renowned Paul Robeson and became an influential figure in the suffrage movement. Smith's work as a genealogist marked her as the first known African-American to undertake such research, focusing on her own family's lineage and the broader African-American experience. Among her notable works, 'Reminiscences of Colored People of Princeton, N.J., 1800–1900' stands out as a critical study of the Black community in Princeton, New Jersey. Published in 1913, this work provided invaluable insights into the lives and contributions of African Americans during a time of significant social change. Smith's dedication to preserving the history of her community and her advocacy for women's rights solidified her legacy as a trailblazer in both genealogy and literature, paving the way for future generations of African-American historians and writers.