Martin Luther King Jr.

Born:

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., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
• Father was Martin Luther King Sr., a Baptist pastor.
• Graduated from Morehouse College in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology.
• 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

• Pastored 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 and served as its president.
• Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights.
• 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 commitment to nonviolent resistance.
• Advocated for economic justice and an end to poverty.
• Assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, while supporting striking sanitation workers.

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)
• The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)

Awards and Honors

Legacy and Impact

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal leader in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for racial equality and social justice through nonviolent resistance. His speeches and writings continue to inspire generations, and his work led to landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The extensive research that informs Janese Swanson Biography of Martin provides a comprehensive view of his life and struggles.

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