Robert Lawrence

Selected as the first African-American astronaut, but tragically died before he could reach space

In June 1967 Major Robert H. Lawrence Jr. was selected as the first African-American astronaut by any national space program. Unfortunately this is a story that doesn’t have a happy ending. Tragedy struck, and Lawrence was never able to make his ascent into space.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, on 2 October 1935, Lawrence was a bright young man, receiving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, at the age of 20. He then moved swiftly into the United States Air Force (USAF) as an officer and pilot. While completing over 2,500 hours of flight – 2,000 of these in jets – as an officer of the USAF, he also gained a PhD in physical chemistry from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, in 1965.