Carter G. Woodson

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Carter G. Woodson The “ Father of Black History” as we know today, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 to James and Anne Eliza Woodson in New Canton, Virginia. Woodson was the first child of nine children of James and Anne Eliza who where newly freed slaves. Carter’s supported his family at a very young age by working in a coal mine. At the age of seventeen Carter and his family moved to Fayette, Virginia where he worked in a coal mine. Carter was allowed to attend school at Douglas High School part time where he successfully earned a high school diploma and graduated in approximately a year and a half in 1896. Carter then went on to attend Berea College in Kentucky. In 1900 Carter returned to Douglas High School to become a teacher and eventually became a principal. Carter served as the principal up until 1903. During his time while working as a principal, Carter was taking classes at the University of Chicago where in 1907 he received a Bachelors Degree and his Masters Degree in 1908. Carter was a very busy man dedicated to the educating and the advancement of people of color. From 1903-1909, Carter traveled the world. He supervised schools in the Philippines, studied in Asia, Europe, and even at the University of Paris. In 1909, Carter returned to the United States, where he taught History, English, Spanish and French at Dunbar High School in Washington D.C. Carter was the second African American to receive a PH.D from Harvard in 1912. As a direct result of Carter’s studying around the world Carter was able to conclude that and realize that Black people were and their contribution to the world had been overlooked, ignored and forgotten about. The writers of history books who down played the great achievements of African Americans disturbed Carter. Carter was assured that if there was no type of recorded history that credit African Americans for their great achievements that they soon would forever be forgotten. Carter went on to write and create his own textbooks for schools to use. In addition he started the Journal Negro History, where he was an active editor for almost 40 years. He also established the Association For The Study of Negro Life. This association promoted black history.

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