A magnificent photograph of Florvil Hyppolite (1827-1896) who served as Haiti’s 15th president from 17 October 1889 until his death on 24 March 1896. Here he is seated with his ministers and staff not long after having been sworn in. The ministers are Leger Caurin, Justice; Hentjeans, Public Transport; Montpoint, War; Antenor Firmin, Finance; Saint-Martin Dupuy, Interior; and L. Rameau, Public Education.
Hyppolite had previously served in the army. His success in quelling the Cacos rebels brought him to national prominence and secured his victory in the 1889 election. His time in office was marked by the introduction of the telephone to Haiti as well as the construction of the Iron Market (Marche an Fé). The market remains intact and now functions as a bazaar in central Port-au-Prince.
He was also concerned about Haiti’s public image and worked with abolitionist and US ambassador to Haiti Fredrick Douglass. Together they “organized a Haitian exhibit at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas.“ Douglass represented Haiti and gave a dedication speech before a large audience, which spoke of Haiti’s valiant character, history, importance, and struggle from slavery to freedom to statehood“ (Destin).
Destin, Y., “Haiti’s Prized Presidential Legacies” in Journal of Haitian Studies, Vol. 20, No. 2 (Fall, 2014), p.199.
