David Bustill Bowser
American artist (1820 - 1900) · United States · On the map · Artists · Died at 80
David Bustill Bowser was a 19th-century African-American ornamental artist, portraitist, and social activist. He designed battle flags for eleven African-American regiments during the American Civil War and painted portraits of prominent Americans, including U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist John Brown.
David Bustill Bowser is read about 4 times a day, in 6 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 25 August 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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Photos 12
Bowser's 1844 Grand United Order of Odd Fellows membership certificate; Bowser likely created the chromolithograph in the center.
In 1863, Bowser was among 54 Black Philadelphian community leaders to sign Frederick Douglass's printed broadside, recruiting men of color to enlist in the U.S. military after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Bowser's 1865 portrait of abolitionist John Brown. Although Brown died in 1859, the two met at Bowser's Underground Railroad safehouse.
Bowser's 1865 portrait of Abraham Lincoln.About this person
Politically active throughout much of his adult life, he was a contributor to the Underground Railroad and also helped to secure the post-war passage of key civil rights legislation in Pennsylvania.
