Augustus Hawkins (1907-2007)
Louisiana-born Augustus Freeman “Gus” Hawkins, the second known person of African American descent to hold legislative office in California, graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1931. Hawkins had wanted to pursue an education in civil engineering after graduating but was restrained due to a lack of funds that was amplified by economic strife caused by the Great Depression. This obstacle motivated Hawkins to get involved in politics and run against Frederick Madison Roberts for his same 62nd District of Los Angeles in the California State Assembly. He was successful, defeating Roberts and taking over his seat in the 1934 election.
Hawkins had a remarkable 56-year career in politics, serving in the state assembly for 20 years and the United States House of Representatives for 36 years, becoming the first African American to represent California in the United States Congress. A founding member of the California Legislative Black Caucus, formed in 1967, he became known as the “Silent Warrior” for his way of working more quietly “behind the scenes” to reach his legislative goals, which included education, transportation, fair housing and labor practices, urban development, and civil rights. He retired from politics in 1991 and passed away in 2007.
The California State Archives is home to many oral history interviews with past political figures, among them an interview with Hawkins recorded in 1988. Explore Augustus F. Hawkins’s oral history interview transcript (PDF).
