Lewis H. Latimer was an African American scientist and draftsman who is best known for the significant modifications he made to Thomas Edison's light bulb. The son of George and Rebecca Latimer, who escaped enslavement only a few years prior to his birth, Latimer was largely self-taught as draftsman and patent clerk. At a time when racial prejudice ruled the nation, his great skill and intellect helped him rise into company of the great inventors of the day including Alexander Graham Bell, for whom he drafted the patent for the telephone, Hiram Maxim and Thomas Edison. Latimer was a member of the Edison Pioneers and is an inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his work on electric filament manufacturing techniques. He was also a founding member of the Unitarian Church of Flushing.

In his honor we have developed an annually awarded $1000 scholorship for high school students of African descent going on to study the sciences. If you are interested in learning more about this scholarship please contact the office for more information.