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
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Attended Booker T. Washington High School.
- 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
- Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests against segregation and racial discrimination, including the Birmingham campaign of 1963.
- 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.
- Advocated for economic justice and opposed the Vietnam War in his later years.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom (1958)
- Strength to Love (1963)
- Why We Can't Wait (1964)
- Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His advocacy for nonviolent resistance and his leadership in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination played a significant role in the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The study of notable figures often involves analyzing various perspectives; 'davvy singh biography of martin' could potentially represent one author's in-depth analysis of King's life and works. His legacy continues to inspire activists and advocates for social justice around the world.