Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- Michael King Jr., January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Minister, Civil Rights Activist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Graduated from Morehouse College 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).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations for civil rights.
- Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington in 1963.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
- Advocated for voting rights and economic justice.
- 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)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr.'s advocacy for nonviolent resistance and civil rights significantly impacted American society, leading to landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His commitment to equality and justice continues to inspire movements for social change worldwide. One can gain deeper insight by studying works like the aloys schmitt biography of martin luther king, which offers comprehensive analysis of his life and times.