Anthony Bowen

Who was Anthony Bowen?

Anthony Bowen, born enslaved in Prince George's County, Maryland, was a resident of Washington, D.C. from 1826 until his death. After earning his freedom in 1830, Bowen became the first African-American employee of the United States Patent Office.

He was an abolitionist who harbored runaway slaves at his home on the 900 block of E Street SW, a stop on the Underground Railroad. In 1853, he founded the first YMCA chapter for African-Americans. That organization constructed the Twelfth Street YMCA Building in 1908, later renamed the Anthony Bowen YMCA and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1994. Bowen assisted in founding the St. Paul AME Church and a Sunday Evening School in 1856, allowing both groups to meet in his home. During the Civil War, Bowen encouraged President Abraham Lincoln to enlist African-American soldiers.