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 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
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956) following Rosa Parks's arrest.
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests against segregation and racial 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 for his work in advancing civil rights.
- 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)
- The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. remains a pivotal figure in American history, remembered for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent activism and his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy for racial equality and social justice continues to inspire movements for human rights worldwide. This overview is a summary only, for a deeper understanding, one might consider consulting a detailed work such as a hypothetical 'saed mohseni biography of martin luther king'.