Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the Father of Black History Month, was a writer and historian. The son of former slaves, he became the second African American to earn a PhD from Harvard University in 1912. The first was Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois in 1895.
In 1915, Dr. Woodson established the Association for the Study of Negro Life to promote the scientific study of black life and history. The organization is currently known as the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. In 1916, he published the first edition of his newly created Journal of Negro History. It gave African American and white scholars a means to publish their research.
In 1926, Dr. Woodson founded Negro History Week, in the second week of February to celebrate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and to recognize the achievements of African Americans. In the 1960's, Negro History Week was changed to Black History Month.
Dr. Woodson authored many books including his best known work, The Mis-Education of the Negro, still in publication today. He died in 1950.
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PICTURES:
First L: Drawing of Dr. Woodson courtesy of The National Archives. National Archives Identifier: 535622. Local Identifier: 208-COM-78. M, R: Gravestone front and back.
Second L: Grave marker. M, R: Home of Dr. Woodson, 1538 9th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001. Registered as a National Historic Landmark.
Pictures taken February 16, 2009. Black and white Public Domain.
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SOURCES:
Audio Recording
Woodson, Carter G. The Mis-Education of the Negro. iTunes, 2010. Digital Book.
Books
Appiah, Kwame, Anthony and Gates, Henry Louis, ed. "Woodson Africana The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience." 1st ed. New York: Civitas, 1999. Print.
Internet
"Association for the Study of African American Life and History." asalh100.org/, Web. 16 May 2009.
"Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950)." encyclopediavirginia.org/Woodson_Carter_G_1875-1950, Web. 13 Feb.
2015.
"Carter G. Woodson." research.archives.gov/id/535622, Web. 16 May 2009.
"Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site Washington, DC." nps.gov/nr/travel/cultural_diversity/Carter_G_
Woodson_Home_National_Historic_Site.html, Web. 16 May 2009.
"Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum." woodsonmuseum.org/home, Web. 13 Feb. 2015.
"Harvard Gazette - A window into African-American history." news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/02/a-window-
into-african-american-history/, Web 13 Feb. 2015.
"Harvard University Press - The W. E. B. Du Bois Lectures." hup.harvard.edu/collection.php?cpk=1011, Web. 15
Feb. 2015.
Site Visit
Carter G. Woodson Home. Washington, DC, 16 Feb. 2009.
Carter G. Woodson gravesite. Lincoln Memorial Cemetery. Suitland, MD. 16 Feb. 2009.
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INTERRED: Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 4001 Suitland Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746. Phone: 301-568-8410.
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SUBMITTED: February 18, 2009. Updated February 13, 2015.
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