W. E. B. Du Bois

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W. E. B. Du Bois

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (February 23, 1868 – August 27, 1963) was an American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author, writer, and editor. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois grew up in a relatively tolerant and integrated community. After completing graduate work at the University of Berlin and Harvard University, where he was the first African American to earn a doctorate, he became a professor of history, sociology, and economics at Atlanta University.

Early Life and Education

Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to Alfred and Mary Silvina Du Bois. He attended the local integrated public school and excelled in his studies. Du Bois graduated from Fisk University in 1888 and later attended Harvard University, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1890. He continued his education in Berlin, Germany, before returning to Harvard to complete his Ph.D. in 1895.

Academic Career

Du Bois was a pioneering scholar and a prolific writer. His work as a sociologist and historian laid the foundation for modern African American studies. He published numerous influential works, including "The Philadelphia Negro" (1899), a sociological study of African Americans in Philadelphia, and "The Souls of Black Folk" (1903), a seminal collection of essays.

Civil Rights Activism

Du Bois was a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. He served as the editor of the NAACP's monthly magazine, The Crisis, where he published many of his most famous essays and editorials. Du Bois was a vocal advocate for civil rights and was involved in numerous campaigns for racial equality.

Pan-Africanism

Du Bois was also a leading figure in the Pan-African movement, which sought to unify and uplift people of African descent worldwide. He organized several Pan-African Congresses and was a strong advocate for the independence of African nations from colonial rule.

Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Du Bois became increasingly disillusioned with the slow progress of racial integration in the United States. He moved to Ghana in 1961, where he became a citizen and worked on the Encyclopedia Africana. Du Bois died in Accra, Ghana, on August 27, 1963.

Du Bois's legacy continues to influence scholars, activists, and writers. His work remains a cornerstone of African American literature and social science.

Related Pages

• Civil rights movement
• NAACP
• The Souls of Black Folk
• Pan-Africanism
• Harvard University
• Fisk University