Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr was given his name by his father, a Louisville house painter and musician, who was given the same name by his father, Herman, a son of slaves, as a tribute to Cassius Marcellus Clay, the Kentucky abolitionist.

The white Cassius Clay lived a remarkable life, fought in multiple wars, served in the Kentucky legislature and as ambassador to Russia, and was friends with both Presidents Lincoln and Grant.

He was also widely reviled as a rebel and conceited firebrand. Despite numerous assassination attempts at the hands of pro-slavery zealots, Clay lived to be ninety-two years old.