Reverdy Cassius Ransom (January 4, 1861 – April 22, 1959) was an American Christian socialist, civil rights activist, and leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Although he attended Oberlin College for some small portion of his higher education, he returned to Wilberforce University very soon with renewed appreciation for its many positive qualities.

During this time, he witnessed the harsh despair and poverty that African Americans suffered in the industrial centers in Altoona and Alleghany, Pennsylvania.

After examining the role of church in the community, he decided that the best way to fight the poor living conditions of African Americans was to establish programs that taught self-improvement.

[1] Reverdy C. Ransom was a co-founder and featured speaker at the second meeting of the Niagara Movement, forerunner of the NAACP, in 1906 at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

"[3] Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom recognized the inequality in American society, blaming it on capitalism and individualism and seeing socialism and Christian faith as means to tackle this evil.

"The Bishop Reverdy Cassius Ransom Memorial Library" is located on the campus of Wilberforce University, Ohio, at Payne Theological Seminary in honor of his religious, civil rights and humanitarian accomplishments.