Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Minister, Civil Rights Activist
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 (1948).
- Received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary (1951).
- Earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston University (1955).
Career and Major Achievements
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 and served as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination.
- Played a pivotal role in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963), where he delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story (1958)
- Letter from Birmingham Jail (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 transformative figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for racial equality through nonviolent resistance. His leadership and activism significantly contributed to the dismantling of segregation and the advancement of civil rights for African Americans. His legacy continues to inspire movements for social justice around the world. The detailed examination within "debu chaudhuri biography of martin" sheds further light on his complex and influential life.