Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Died:

April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Nationality:

American

Profession(s):

Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist

Early Life and Education

• Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
• Enrolled at Morehouse College at age 15, graduating with a B.A. in Sociology in 1948.
• Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
• Received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University in 1955.

Career and Major Achievements

• Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) after Rosa Parks' arrest.
• Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
• Organized nonviolent protests and marches for voting rights, desegregation, and economic justice.
• Arrested numerous times for civil disobedience.
• Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his commitment to nonviolent resistance.
• Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Notable Works

• Stride Toward Freedom (1958)
• Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
• Why We Can't Wait (1964)
• The Trumpet of Conscience (1967)

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his powerful speeches helped to galvanize support for racial equality and led to the passage of landmark civil rights legislation. He remains a symbol of hope and inspiration for activists and social justice movements worldwide. The significance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and work is explored in detail within the realm of biographical writing, including works like 'beverley naidoo biography of martin', which delve into specific aspects of his life and influence.

Awards and Recognition

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