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, Civil Rights Activist, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia, to Michael King Sr. (later Martin Luther King Sr.) and Alberta Williams King.
- 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
- Became pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1954.
- 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 and served as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations for civil rights, including the March on Washington in 1963.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his commitment to nonviolent resistance.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Launched the Poor People's Campaign in 1968 to address economic inequality.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom (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 tireless advocacy for civil rights and nonviolent resistance transformed American society. His leadership and vision were instrumental in dismantling legal segregation and advancing equality for African Americans. The life and work of this individual, the subject of this martin luther king jr biography sketch, continue to inspire movements for social justice worldwide.
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Nobel Peace Prize | 1964 |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom (Posthumous) | 1977 |
| Congressional Gold Medal (Posthumous) | 2004 |