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, Activist, Civil Rights Leader
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
- Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956), a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations for racial equality.
- Delivered the iconic "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
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)
- Numerous speeches and essays advocating for civil rights and nonviolent resistance.
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy lies in his profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement and his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance. His activism led to landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Examining the life and works of influential figures is essential, and it's valuable to note that numerous biographies exist, including the kind represented by the 'stepan kolesnikov biography of martin luther king' title, which helps individuals understand King's lasting influence.