Carter G. Woodson: The Father of Black History

Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by Leshell Hatley in Faculty, History, I'm a Full Professor!, Places of Scholarly Work, Scholarly Celebrations

During the dawning decades of the twentieth century, it was commonly presumed that black people had little history besides the subjugation of slavery. Today, it is clear that blacks have significantly impacted the development of the social, political, and economic structures of the United States and the world. Credit for the evolving awareness of the true place of blacks in history can, in large part, be bestowed on one man, Carter G. Woodson. And, his brainchild the Association for the Study of African American Life and History Inc. is continuing Woodson’s tradition of disseminating information about black life, history and culture to the global community.

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Woodson (1875-1950) was the son of former slaves, and understood how important gaining a proper education is when striving to secure and make the most out of one’s divine right of freedom.

Education

Carter G. Woodson - "Father of Black History"

Although he did not begin his formal education until he was 20 years old, his dedication to study enabled him to earn a high school diploma in West Virginia and bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago in just a few years. He also earned his Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College in Kentucky. In 1912, Woodson became the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University – in History (the first was W. E. B. DuBois). His doctoral dissertation, The Disruption of Virginia, was based on research he did at the Library of Congress while teaching high school in Washington, D.C. After earning the doctoral degree, he continued teaching in the public schools in the District of Columbia and later joined the faculty at Howard University as a professor and served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Woodson was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Recognizing the dearth of information on the accomplishments of blacks in 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

Under Woodson’s pioneering leadership, the Association created research and publication outlets for black scholars with the establishment of the Journal of Negro History (1916) and the Negro History Bulletin (1937), which garners a popular public appeal.

Books By and About Carter G. Woodson and the Carter G. Woodson Institute Series in Black Studies:

The Start of Black History Month

In 1926, Dr. Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week, which corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, this celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February, and today Black History Month garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the black experience. ASALH views the promotion of Black History Month as one of the most important components of advancing Dr. Woodson’s legacy.

Continuing Importance of Black History Month – Smithsonian Museum

Carter G. Woodson’s home is currently a historic landmark and is maintained by the National Park Service. Unfortunately, the current condition of the house does not portray the contribution this man gave to our country in the slightest.

Carter G. Woodson Historic Site

What can be done to correct this problem? We owe it to him and ourselves to do something!

The Black Scholars Index is willing to lead an effort to at least bring more attention. If you are interested in helping and/or have any ideas, please contact us immediately.

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Information from ASALH, wikipedia, and National Park Service.

More Related posts:

1. ASALH: Association for the Study of African-American Life and History
2. Ruth Simmons: 1st Black President of an Ivy League School
3. Stephen L. Carter: Law Professor, Policy Writer, Columnist, Novelist
4. Dr. Eileen Southern: Black Music Scholar and First Black Full Professor at Harvard
5. Barbara Jordan: 1st Black Woman from a Southern State to Serve in the House of Representatives

Tags: 2nd African-American to earn a PhD from Harvard, Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Benning, Berea College, Boston University Law School, Building Beloved Community: The Practice of Impartial Love, Carter G. Woodson, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Democracy Matters, Dissertation: The Disruption of Virginia, Dorothy Irene Height, Dr. George C. Wright, Father of Black History, female, Harvard Institute of Educational Managemen, Harvard University, Head of the UCLA Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program, Historic Landmark, Inc., James Weldon Johnson, Journal of Negro History, Manuscripts at University of Minnesota, National Park Service, Negro History Bulletin, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Race Matters, Richard Wright, Spelbots, Tenure, Top Minority in Science Award and the 2007 Living Women's History Makers Community Award for Education, University of Chicago