John Rock (abolitionist)

John Stewart Rock (October 13, 1825 – December 3, 1866) was an African American teacher, doctor, dentist, lawyer and abolitionist, historically associated with the concept that "black is beautiful", which was thought to have originated from a speech he made in 1858. Historical records now indicate he never actually used the specific phrase on that day, although he did refer to the beauty of Black people.

Rock was one of the first African American men to earn a medical degree. In addition, he was the first black person to be admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.