ORAL HISTORY ARCHIVE   A-C • D-G • H-L • M-R • S-Z

John Hope Franklin

Born on January 2, 1915 in Rentiesville, Oklahoma

Historian, author, educator

CONTENTS:
1. BIOGRAPHY
2. VIDEO CLIPS
3. EXTERNAL LINKS
4. RELATED LINKS
5. URL








BIOGRAPHY
Noted scholar, historian, author and professor John Hope Franklin is highly regarded and respected worldwide for his efforts to promote racial understanding and reconciliation.


Franklin as a boy
Born on January 2, 1915 in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, Franklin learned to read and write before the age of five. A bright, dedicated student, he graduated valedictorian of his high school class at age 16, and won a scholarship to Fisk University. While at Fisk, Franklin decided to devote himself to historical studies, and distinguished himself as a leader. He served as president of the campus chapter of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and as student body president, gave leadership to programs as well as to student protests against racial injustices, such as lynching. After completing his B.S. at Fisk, he earned a masters and doctorate degrees in history from Harvard University. He credits both schools with helping him achieve the scholarly discipline that has allowed him to reshape the way African American history is understood and taught.

Franklin is a prolific author whose literary landmark, "From Slavery to Freedom," is now in its eighth edition and has been translated into five languages. In 1997, he co-edited with his son John W. Franklin, "My Life and an Era: The Autobiography of Buck Colbert Franklin," the story of his own attorney-father. Through his many books, he has shaped 20th century American history with his integrated visions of scholarship and activism, passion and prudence.

A devoted teacher as well as historian, Dr. Franklin has served on the faculties of several colleges and universities, including St. Augustine’s College, Howard University, Brooklyn College, the University of Chicago, and Duke University. Dr. Franklin has also served on many national commissions and delegations, and was chosen by President Bill Clinton in 1997 to chair the advisory board for One America: The President’s Initiative on Race.

Dr. Franklin’s endeavors, his witness, and his powerful chronicle of black America’s hard-won progress toward equal rights and status continue to guide us towards achieving a free, just, and equal society. One of the most celebrated African American historians in the United States, he has been honored with several awards—among them the Encyclopedia Britannica Gold Medal for the Dissemination of Knowledge, the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Franklin is currently the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History at Duke University. He and his late wife Aurelia have one son, John W. Franklin.

In 2005, Dr. Franklin published his bestselling memoir, Mirror to America: The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin.

VIDEO CLIPS
My Parents broadband modem
Growing up in Oklahoma broadband modem
Racism in my Childhood broadband modem
Lessons from My Father broadband modem
"White People are Okay!" broadband modem
The Importance of History broadband modem
My Decision to be an Educator broadband modem
The President's Initiative on Race broadband modem
Racism in the 1990's broadband modem

EXTERNAL LINKS
• John Hope Franklin's Wikipedia page

RELATED LINKS
• John Hope Franklin roundtable discussion about the1921 Tulsa Massacre
• John Hope Franklin roundtable discussion about Affirmative Action

URL (Click to bookmark): http://www.visionaryproject.org/franklinjohnhope

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