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, Civil Rights Activist, Author
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
- Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (1954-1960).
- Leader of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, serving as its first president.
- Organized and participated in numerous nonviolent protests against racial segregation and discrimination.
- Led the Birmingham Campaign in 1963.
- 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.
- Advocated for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
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)
- The Trumpet of Conscience (1968)
Legacy and Impact
Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy centers on his pivotal role in the American Civil Rights Movement, his advocacy for nonviolent resistance, and his enduring impact on the pursuit of racial equality and social justice. This `martn luther king jr biography` highlights his significant contributions.