Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- Michael King Jr. (later Martin Luther King Jr.), 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 into a family of Baptist ministers; father was Martin Luther King Sr.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. degree 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) following Rosa Parks' arrest.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests, including sit-ins, marches, and demonstrations.
- Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
- Played a significant role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
- Opposed the Vietnam War in his later years.
Notable Works
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| The Trumpet of Conscience | 1968 |
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. is considered one of the most influential figures in American history, a champion of civil rights and a powerful advocate for nonviolent social change. His leadership and activism were instrumental in dismantling legal segregation and advancing the cause of racial equality in the United States. The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. continues to inspire movements for justice and equality around the world. An examination of the life and works through, for example, an alessio bolzoni biography of martin luther king, provides valuable insight into this monumental figure.