W.E.B. Du Bois was one of the first African American PhD holders and one of the most important Black intellectuals, founding the NAACP and writing foundational works on race in America.
Du Bois earned his PhD in history from Harvard and taught at Atlanta University. He founded the NAACP with other Black leaders and wrote 'The Souls of Black Folk,' a foundational text on African American experience. He spent his life fighting for Black rights and dignity.
Du Bois's intellectual framework for understanding racism and Black consciousness shaped generations of thinkers and activists.
He coined the term 'talented tenth'
He was instrumental in founding the NAACP
His works remain required reading in universities
Credible references for the information presented on this page.