W.E.B DuBois was born William Edward Burghardt Du Bois in Great Barrington, MA. In 1895, he became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. degree at Harvard University. He taught history and economics at Atlanta University. He was a leading spokesman against racial discrimination during the early 1900s, “an advocate for people of colour around the world, few claims greater importance than W.E.B. DuBois”.[1]
DuBois works include Black Reconstruction in America and The Autobiography of W.E.B DuBois. These narratives provided many of his ideas. DuBois believed African Americans needed to be more vocal. He believed that education was key to the success to the race. Du Bois’s articulate “the important role of higher education, and the need for a commitment to service enabled me to make sense of my own experiences as an African American man within the realm of the academy”.[2] DuBois wanted the educated African Americans to lead the fight against discrimination.
DuBois fight did not stop with writing books or articles. He founded the Niagara Movement, “the first African American political organization of the twentieth century”.[3] This was instrumental as it provided African Americans advancements. His efforts to fight race relations were documented and historians have written articles explaining Dubois impact to Americans.
[1] Brandon Kendhammer, “DuBois the Pan-Africanist and the Development of African Nationalism.” Ethnic and Racial Studies 30, (no. 1 2007, 51-71), 51
[2] Larry L. Rowley, “W.E.B. DUBOIS: Role Model and Mentor for African American Undergraduate Men.” About campus. 6 (no. 5, November 2001, 20–25), 21
[3] Ibid., 22
Mostly History 