Martin Luther King Jr.
- Born:
- January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Died:
- April 4, 1968, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Minister, Activist, Civil Rights Leader
Early Life and Education
- Born Michael King Jr., later changed to Martin Luther King Jr.
- Father was Martin Luther King Sr., a Baptist pastor.
- Attended segregated public schools in Georgia.
- Graduated from Morehouse College with a B.A. in Sociology (1948).
- Graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary with a B.Div. (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).
- Led the Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956).
- Co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) (1957), serving as its first president.
- Organized numerous nonviolent protests against segregation and racial discrimination.
- Led the Birmingham Campaign (1963).
- Delivered the "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington (1963).
- Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (1964).
- Fought for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Opposed the Vietnam War from 1965 onward.
- Launched the Poor People's Campaign (1968).
Notable Works
- Stride Toward Freedom (1958)
- Letter from Birmingham Jail (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. was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. His commitment to nonviolent resistance and his powerful oratory skills helped to dismantle segregation and advance the cause of racial equality in the United States. The legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. continues to inspire movements for social justice around the world. As "thottempudi venu biography of martin luther king" can attest, his influence remains profound.