Walter L. Cohen

Walter L. Cohen
Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party
In office
1892–1930
Personal details
Born(1860-01-22)January 22, 1860
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedDecember 29, 1930(1930-12-29) (aged 70)
PartyRepublican
EducationStraight College

Walter Louis Cohen (January 22, 1860 – December 29, 1930) was a public official, Republican Party leader, and businessman in the United States. He was active in fraternal organizations. An African American, he held several federal positions.

His father was Jewish, his mother African American, and he was Catholic. He said he was everything the Ku Klux Klan abominates.

He was born free in New Orleans. He attended St. Louis Catholic School and Straight College. His daughter Camille Cohen Jones was a community leader in Chicago. Cohen served as chair of the Louisiana Republican Party from 1892 to 1930. He attended every Republican National Convention from 1896 through 1924.

Walter L. Cohen School building in 2022

Walter L. Cohen High School was named for him. The school's yearbook was also named in tribute to him.

References

  1. 1 2 "Walter Cohen, Politician born".
  2. ↑ "AARC Notable African Americans from Louisiana". Archived from the original on 29 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Walter L. Cohen High School - Early Days 1949-1953". 16 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Louisiana Social and Beneficial Club of Illinois Stage Beautiful Tableaux". The Broad Ax. 1927-01-15. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-02-09 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Walter L. Cohen: A Black political leader in New Orleans - Verite News New Orleans". 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2026-09-08.