Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Died:

April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist, Author

Early Life and Education

• Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Father was a Baptist pastor, and mother was a schoolteacher.
• Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology (1948).
• Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary (1951).
• Received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University (1955).

Career and Major Achievements

• Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
• Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) following Rosa Parks' arrest.
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
• Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests, including sit-ins, marches, and demonstrations.
• Arrested multiple times for civil disobedience.
• Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963).
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
• Led the Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights (1965).
• Opposed the Vietnam War.
• Assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee (1968).

Notable Works

• Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
• Strength to Love (1963)
• Why We Can't Wait (1964)
• Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for racial equality through nonviolent means. His leadership and activism contributed significantly to the passage of landmark civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The study of influential figures is important, and this text could serve as a foundation upon which to construct a larger work on the life and legacy of this important man. For instance, krisztian pars biography of martin luther king could delve further into specific aspects of his activism and writing.

Awards and Recognition

Related links