August 27
On August 27, 1963, scholar, writer and author W.E.B. Du Bois died in Ghana.
W.E.B. Du Bois was a well-known scholar, who advocated for the intellectual empowerment of black people throughout the 1900s. Du Bois received higher education from Fisk University, Harvard University and the University of Berlin. At Harvard University, he made history as the first black person to earn a phD.
Despite Du Bois’ intellect, his controversial views regarding the civil rights movement oftentimes alienated him from his peers. In fact, his contrasting views led to his resignation as editor of The Crisis in 1934. Throughout his life, Du Bois wrote a collection of essays articulating his approach to the movement while also describing how important he perceived education and intellect to be for black people. Du Bois dedicated his life to black empowerment, even being a member of the Pan African movement.
In 1961, he moved to Ghana, Africa where he gained citizenship. That would be his final resting place as he died two years later in 1963 at the age of 95.
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