W.E.B. Du Bois

About

W.E.B. Du Bois was a pivotal figure in American history, renowned as a sociologist, historian, author, editor, and civil rights activist. Born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, he became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1895. His academic background and intellectual prowess positioned him as a leading voice against racial injustice. Du Bois's seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk (1903), is a landmark in African American literature, articulating the social and psychological experiences of Black Americans. Du Bois co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 and served as editor of its magazine, The Crisis, from 1910 to 1934. He used this platform to expose lynching and advocate for civil rights. His activism extended beyond the U.S., as he was a key figure in the Pan-African movement. Du Bois's later life included teaching at Atlanta University and writing influential books like Black Reconstruction. He eventually moved to Ghana, where he passed away on August 27, 1963. Throughout his life, Du Bois remained committed to challenging racial inequality and promoting social justice.