Du Bois, W. E. B. (1868–1963)

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was among the most influential African American leaders of the first half of the 20th century. A noted scholar, editor, and speaker, he was a forthright spokesperson on behalf of the rights of African Americans [Page 291]and significantly shaped educational practices and policies throughout the 20th century. Many of the educational forums currently evidenced in classrooms and schools throughout the United States are directly or indirectly related to the intellectual contributions and activism of W. E. B. Du Bois.

Du Bois's writings have been widely influential, especially among those African American writers who have given vivid expression to the struggle against the inequities of racial discrimination. From early on, Du Bois was deeply concerned about the plight of African Americans and voiced his opposition to social practices and policies that he felt were unjust. When he was subjected to racially discriminatory practices, it confirmed his belief that these experiences were symptomatic of U.S. society's overall mistreatment of African Americans.

As a young student growing up in mostly White New England, Du Bois observed how African Americans were treated differently within his own community. He was determined to pursue the problem. While still a high school student, he was invited, on the strength of his interest and his writing abilities, to be the local correspondent for the New York Globe. This position afforded him the opportunity to articulate his views regarding racial issues. His stance was reflected in editorials that encouraged African Americans to become politically conscious of their situation as a people.

In school, Du Bois was a conscientious student who excelled in most areas and impressed his teachers as a gifted individual. He matriculated through school with outstanding marks and was admitted to Harvard University. Unfortunately, there were many roadblocks, including lack of funding, which made it difficult for Du Bois to complete his studies there. He was, however, eventually awarded a scholarship to study at Fisk College (now Fisk University) in Nashville, Tennessee.

Living in the South was a new experience for Du Bois. There he was able to observe firsthand the dynamics of race relations, which fueled his determination to ensure that Black Americans were treated in an equitable manner. He wanted to obtain as much knowledge as possible related to the deplorable social conditions prevalent in the South, including issues such as poverty, poor land, ignorance, and prejudice. In essence, Du Bois believed that African Americans deserved a better quality of life.

Du Bois had dreamed for years of attending Harvard University, but for financial reasons could not. He became a student at Fisk University, where he realized, for a variety of reasons, that it was not the experience that he had expected. After 2 years at Fisk he entered Harvard, with the aid of a scholarship and graduated in 1890. He immediately began working toward his master's degree, at Harvard, which he was awarded in 1891. Upon completion of his master's degree, Du Bois desired to enroll in a doctoral program. His impeccable credentials and references impressed former U.S. president Rutherford B. Hayes, who was chair of a fund to educate Negroes, and he offered Du Bois a grant to study abroad for his doctorate. Reflecting on his future agenda on behalf of African Americans, Du Bois decided that a degree from the University of Berlin, which enjoyed a reputation as one of the world's greatest institutions of higher learning, would best serve his needs as a scholar. Unable to complete his doctoral degree in Germany, due to the loss of financial support, he subsequently returned to Harvard, where in 1895 he fulfilled the requirements for his degree, thereby becoming the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University. His dissertation, The Suppression of the African Slave Trade in America, remains the definitive work on the topic and currently is listed as the first volume in the Harvard Historical Study Series.

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