Allen Wright
Allen Wright was a prominent Choctaw chief and educator, born near the Yaknukni River in Mississippi. Following the death of his parents, he was supported by missionary Cyrus Kingsbury and received education at local academies before continuing his studies in the East, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree. Ordained by the Presbyterian Church in 1865, Wright returned to Indian Territory to serve his community, becoming well-known for his scholarly work in languages such as Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and English. He played a significant role in translating important documents, including a Choctaw dictionary and the constitutions and laws of the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations. Wright was also politically active; he was elected to both the tribal house of representatives and the senate, and he served as tribal treasurer. His leadership extended to two terms as Choctaw chief from 1866 to 1870, during which he proposed the name "Oklahoma" for Indian Territory. Wright’s contributions have left a lasting impact on the Choctaw Nation and its linguistic heritage.
Allen Wright
- Born: November 28, 1825
- Birthplace: Attala County, Mississippi
- Died: December 2, 1885
- Place of death: Boggy Depot, Indian Territory (now in Oklahoma)
Category: Tribal Chief, scholar
Tribal affiliation: Choctaw
Significance: A highly regarded scholar, Wright, a Choctaw, served in several elected tribal offices; he gave Oklahoma its name
Born along the Yaknukni River in Mississippi, Allen Wright relocated to Indian Territory when he was seven years old. His mother died just before the relocation and his father soon after, so missionary Cyrus Kingsbury sponsored the boy’s education at local academies. Wright was sent east to continue his education, earning a B.A. at Union College, Schenactady, New York, in 1853 and an M.A. at Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1855. He became a noted scholar in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and English.
Ordained by the Presbyterian church in 1865, Wright returned to Indian Territory to work among his people. During the 1870’s and 1880’s, he translated numerous Indian works into English, including a Choctaw dictionary, and the Choctaw and Chickasaw constitutions and code of laws.
In 1852, he was elected to the tribal house of representatives and to the senate. He was also the tribe’s treasurer. After serving the Confederacy during the Civil War, he was elected two terms as Choctaw tribal chief, 1866-1870, during which time he suggested the name Oklahoma for Indian Territory.