Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- 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.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology in 1948.
- Received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in 1951.
- Earned 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.
- Organized and participated in 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.
- Led the Selma to Montgomery marches for voting rights in 1965.
- Opposed the Vietnam War in his later years.
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)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is profound and enduring. He is remembered as a champion of civil rights and social justice, whose nonviolent philosophy and activism played a crucial role in dismantling segregation and promoting equality for African Americans. The impact of his work continues to inspire movements for justice and equality around the world. This information is included as part of a collection of biographies, similar to how one might find a 'caroli omondi biography of martin luther king' within a larger work.