Elijah Eugene Cummings was an American politician, lawyer, and civil rights advocate who served as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 7th congressional district from 1993 until his death in 2019. Born on January 18, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of sharecroppers who had migrated from South Carolina. As the second of seven children, Cummings grew up in a working-class family and overcame significant challenges, including a stutter, to become a prominent leader. He graduated from Baltimore's City College high school and pursued higher education at Howard University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1973. He then obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1976, after which he was admitted to the Maryland bar and began his legal career, including serving as a judge in the Baltimore District Court.

Cummings entered politics in 1983 when he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served until 1996, rising to become the first African American speaker pro tempore and chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. In 1993, he won a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Kweisi Mfume, and was reelected 12 times. As a Democrat, he focused on issues like health care reform, education, and economic development in Baltimore, co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus's health braintrust and supporting the Affordable Care Act. From 2009 to 2011, he was vice chair of the United States Congressional Joint Economic Committee, and in 2019, he became chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (previously known as the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee), where he led high-profile investigations into the Trump administration, including matters related to security clearances and the use of government funds.

Known for his eloquent oratory and commitment to social justice, Cummings was a fierce advocate against police brutality and for voting rights, often drawing from his experiences growing up during the civil rights era. He authored books like 'We Have Fought the Good Fight' and received numerous awards for his service. Cummings passed away on October 17, 2019, at age 68 from complications related to longstanding heart issues, leaving a legacy as a moral compass in Congress. He was succeeded by Kweisi Mfume, and his death prompted widespread tributes for his integrity and dedication to public service.