Robert "Bob" J. Booker (April 14, 1935 – February 22, 2024) was an American historian, politician, and writer.
He grew up in the East Knoxville neighborhood known as "The Bottom," and went to Austin-East High School.
[3] He served three years in the United States Army[2] and was impressed by the freedoms and absence of segregation he experienced while stationed in France and England.
He organize sit-ins in lunch counters restaurants in downtown Knoxville in 1960.
[5] Booker was the first African American elected to the Tennessee State Legislature from Knox County's 2nd District, and he served three terms.