Benjamin E. Mays Biography
Benjamin Elijah Mays was born on August 1, 1894, in a little community called Epworth near Ninety Six, South Carolina. He was among eight youngsters born to Louvenia and also Hezekiah Mays, who were previous servants turned sharecroppers. Maturing in a country, segregated environment, Mays encountered destitution and also racial discrimination, which had a profound impact on his life and his later approach to civil liberties as well as education.
In spite of the difficulties, Mays' moms and dads valued education and learning and also supported their child's mission for knowledge. In 1916, he left South Carolina to go to Bates College, a mostly white establishment in Lewiston, Maine. He majored in English and also Philosophy as well as stood out academically, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts level in 1920.
Urged by his mentors at Bates College, Mays made a decision to go after a profession in academia and ministry. He signed up at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he gained a Master of Arts level in 1925 and also a Ph.D. in 1935. Throughout this time, he additionally served as a pastor at a number of churches, consisting of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Chicago.
In 1934, Mays started teaching at the South Carolina State College yet soon signed up with the professors at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he showed religious beliefs and also sociology. His influence at Morehouse brought about his consultation as the college's president in 1940, a placement he held for 27 years up until his retired life in 1967. During his tenure, Mays changed Morehouse College right into a leading organization for African-American education, strengthening its academics and also creating leaders like Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., whom he mentored.
Mays was not just a significant educator yet likewise an ardent supporter for civil rights. He used his position as a system to speak out against racial segregation as well as discrimination, both in education and also culture at large. He was really energetic in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and also worked as its Atlanta branch president from 1956 to 1957. He likewise collaborated with various other organizations like the Urban League, the National Education Association, and also the United Negro College Fund.
After tipping down as Morehouse's president in 1967, Mays remained to effect education and learning through his function as head of state of the Atlanta Board of Education from 1969 to 1970, leading the fee to desegregate Atlanta's public schools. In addition, he functioned as a trustee for a number of schools, including Bates College, Clark College, and Morehouse School of Medicine.
Mays was a respected author as well as published numerous books on African-American spiritual life, social concerns, and also education and learning. His most widely known works consist of "Seeking to Be a Christian in Race Relations" (1937), "The Negro's Church" (1933), and also his autobiography, "Born to Rebel" (1971).
Throughout his career, Mays obtained numerous accolades as well as honors for his contributions to education and civil rights. In 1962, he was granted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Bates College, as well as in 1982, he got the prominent Spingarn Medal from the NAACP.
Benjamin E. Mays died on March 28, 1984, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a leader, educator, as well as civil liberties advocate. His life as well as job continue to influence future generations of scholars as well as activists, advising us of the importance of seeking both expertise and justice for all.
Our collection contains 5 quotes who is written / told by Benjamin.
Related authors: Martin Luther King Jr. (Minister), Philo (Philosopher), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
Source / external links:
