Manassa Thomas Pope

Manassa Thomas Pope (1858 – November 13, 1934) was an American physician, businessman, and politician. He was a prominent member of the African-American middle class in Raleigh, North Carolina and ran for mayor in 1919, at the height of the Jim Crow era. He owned a medical practice in Raleigh and was involved in the establishment of Queen City Drug Company in Charlotte, North Carolina and Mechanics and Farmers Bank in Durham, North Carolina.

Early life, family, and education Pope was born in Rich Square, North Carolina in 1858. He was of mixed-race ancestry through both of his parents. They employed a farm hand, George Manly, and a maid, Mary Manly.

He graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina and earned a medical degree from Leonard Medical Center in 1886. They moved to Henderson in 1888. Pope served there as assistant postmaster, a position acquired by political appointment. He also co-founded the People's Benevolent Association, an insurance business. He was a candidate for mayor of Raleigh in 1919 during the Jim Crow era.

Pope moved to Raleigh in 1899, establishing his medical practice on Fayetteville Street and later at 13 East Hargett Street.

His wife died in 1906 and he married a second time to Delia Haywood Phillips, an educator, the following year. They had two daughters: Evelyn and Ruth who graduated from Columbia University and became teachers.

Pope helped organize Mechanics and Farmers Bank in Durham, North Carolina.

Facing abuse and discrimination from a rising tide of restrictions from an organized movement for white supremacy, he ran for mayor of Raleigh in 1919.