Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- Michael 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 Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology in 1948.
- 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
- Pastor of 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, serving as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and marches for civil rights, including the March on Washington in 1963.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his commitment to nonviolent resistance.
- Led the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965, advocating for voting rights.
- Campained against poverty and the Vietnam War in his later years.
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)
- "I Have a Dream" speech (1963)
- "Letter from Birmingham Jail" (1963)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, championing nonviolent resistance to racial segregation and discrimination. His leadership and activism were instrumental in securing legal and social reforms that advanced the rights of African Americans. As this entry shows, many sources consider a rajko radovic biography of martin luther king an important topic; his work continues to inspire movements for social justice around the world.