What was Robert smalls occupation?

Robert Smalls was an African American ship pilot, politician, and former enslaved person. He gained fame during the American Civil War when he commandeered a Confederate transport ship, the CSS Planter, and delivered it to Union forces, effectively securing his freedom. After the war, he became a prominent politician, serving in the South Carolina State Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. His contributions to civil rights and Reconstruction efforts were significant in shaping post-war America.