"The Merchant Prince"

Authors

• William Lindsey McDonald

Source Collection

University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 5: Speeches, Writings, Sermons, Folder 10.15: Articles - M, Collier Library. 

Description

The article gives an overview of the life of Richard Rapier, who McDonald refers to as "the merchant prince," one of the most prominent businessmen in 19th Century Florence, Alabama and his descendants. Rapier's exploitation of Suson, an enslaved woman, resulted in several children. Rapier's grandson, by way of his son John, James Rapier was elected to the US House of Representatives during Reconstruction.

Date Created

9-17-2026

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

William Lindsey McDonald, "The Merchant Prince," University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 5: Speeches, Writings, Sermons, Folder 10.15: Articles - M, Collier Library.

Rights

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Publication Title

"The Merchant Prince"

First Page

1

Last Page

3

Comments

The attached additional file includes further information on the Rapiers. Specifically, the file includes an April 20, 1970, letter from William Lindsey McDonald about the cemetery records of Suson Rapier, who was the only African American buried in the white section of Florence Cemetery, and a December 3, 1972, news clipping from the TimesDaily about Congressman James Rapier.

Source Collection of Additional File:

University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 44: Prominent Persons, Folder 1.1: Prominent Persons - Miscellaneous Biographies, Collier Library.