Clayborne Carson

Clayborne Carson
Born	June 15, 1944 Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Historian, Professor
Known for	Editing the papers of Martin Luther King Jr.

Clayborne Carson (born June 15, 1944) is an American historian and professor, best known for his work on the Civil Rights Movement and as the editor of the papers of Martin Luther King Jr.. He is a professor emeritus at Stanford University and the founding director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute.

Early Life and Education

Clayborne Carson was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1967. Carson went on to receive his Ph.D. in American history from UCLA in 1975.

Academic Career

Carson began his academic career as a professor of history at Stanford University in 1975. His research has focused on African-American history and the Civil Rights Movement. In 1985, he was selected by Coretta Scott King to edit and publish the papers of her late husband, Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project

The Martin Luther King Jr. Papers Project was established to compile and publish a definitive edition of King's speeches, sermons, correspondence, publications, and unpublished writings. Under Carson's leadership, the project has published several volumes of "The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr." series, which have been praised for their scholarly rigor and contribution to the understanding of King's legacy.

Contributions to Civil Rights Scholarship

Carson's work has significantly contributed to the scholarship on the Civil Rights Movement. His book, "In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s," is a seminal work on the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and its role in the movement. Carson has also written extensively on the broader impact of the Civil Rights Movement on American society and politics.

Public Engagement and Media

In addition to his academic work, Carson has been active in public history and media. He has served as a consultant for numerous documentaries and films about the Civil Rights Movement, including the award-winning "Eyes on the Prize" series. Carson has also appeared in various media outlets to discuss issues related to race, civil rights, and American history.

Awards and Honors

Carson has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. His contributions to the field of history and his efforts to preserve the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. have been widely recognized.

Personal Life

Carson is married and has two children. He continues to be active in academic and public discussions on civil rights and social justice.

Selected Works

• "In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s" (1981)
• "The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr." (Editor, 1998)
• "Martin's Dream: My Journey and the Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr." (2013)

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

External Links

• [Stanford University Profile](https://profiles.stanford.edu/clayborne-carson)
• [Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute](https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/)