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.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- 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) after Rosa Parks' arrest.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations against racial segregation and discrimination.
- 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 work promoting civil rights through nonviolent resistance.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Started the Poor People's Campaign in 1968 to address issues of economic inequality.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
- Letter from Birmingham Jail (1963)
- Why We Can't Wait (1964)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
- The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)
elizabeta marku biography of martin luther king is one of the many explorations into the life and work of this pivotal figure in American history.
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered as one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy for nonviolent resistance and social justice helped to dismantle segregation and advance equality for African Americans. His legacy continues to inspire activists and movements for human rights around the world.