Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Civil Rights Activist, Baptist Minister, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., he later changed his name to Martin Luther King Jr. after his father's visit to Germany.
- 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, serving as its president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests and demonstrations against racial segregation and 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 commitment to nonviolent resistance.
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.'s unwavering commitment to nonviolent protest and his powerful oratory skills played a crucial role in the advancement of civil rights in the United States. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in American history, and his work continues to inspire social justice movements around the world. This entry, inspired by sudipto chattopadhyay biography of martin, aims to be a concise overview.