Robert Smalls
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 7th district
In office March 18, 1884 – March 3, 1887
Preceded by	Edmund W. M. Mackey
Succeeded by	William Elliott
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 5th district
In office July 19, 1882 – March 3, 1883
Preceded by	George D. Tillman
Succeeded by	John J. Hemphill
In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1879
Preceded by	District re-established John D. Ashmore before district eliminated after 1860
Succeeded by	George D. Tillman
Member of the South Carolina Senate from Beaufort County
In office November 22, 1870 – March 4, 1875
Preceded by	Jonathan Jasper Wright
Succeeded by	Samuel Greene
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Beaufort County
In office November 24, 1868 – November 22, 1870
Personal details
Born	(1839-04-05)April 5, 1839 Beaufort, South Carolina
Died	February 23, 1915(1915-02-23) (aged 75) Beaufort, South Carolina
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Hannah Jones (m. 1856; died 1883) Annie Wigg (m. 1890; died 1895)
Children	4
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Navy  United States Army
Years of service	1862–1868
Rank	None (civilian pilot and armed transport captain)
Battles/wars	Blockade of Charleston 17 battles including Battle of Simmon's Bluff Second Battle of Pocotaligo Second Battle of Fort Sumter Sherman's March to the Sea

Robert Smalls(April 5, 1839 – February 23, 1915) was an American politician, publisher, businessman, and maritime pilot. Born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina. He freed himself, his friends, and their families during the American Civil War. He did this by commandeering a Confederate transport ship, CSS Planter, in Charleston harbor, on May 13, 1862. He then sailed it from Confederate-controlled waters of the harbor to the U.S. blockade that surrounded it. He then piloted the ship to the Union-controlled enclave in Beaufort–Port Royal–Hilton Head area, where it became a Union warship. His example and persuasion helped convince President Abraham Lincoln to allow African-American soldiers into the Union Army.