Dick Francis

1827–1888

One of the most famous bartenders of the formative period

Dick Francis was an African American (born free) who presided over the bar at Hancock’s, near The White House, in Washington DC, for four decades straight through the Civil War. There, Francis mixed punches, juleps and other drinks for politicians, celebrities, and regular folk. His son, John, whom Francis put through medical school, was a prominant doctor and associate of Booker T. Washington. Francis received an obituary in The Washington Post in 1888.