Richard Allen (June 10, 1830 – May 16, 1909) was a carpenter, contractor, businessman and, after the Civil War, a Republican politician in Texas.
[2] Allen first entered public service in 1867, working as an agent for the Freedmen's Bureau, a federal organization created to assist emancipated slaves.
[2] Allen worked to improve public education and to establish state pensions for Civil War veterans.
[2] In 1870, Allen entered the race for the United States House of Representatives from his district, but withdrew his candidacy during the early part of the Republican nominating process.
[2] In 1878 Allen unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor; he was the first African American in Texas to run as a candidate for a statewide office.