W. E. B. Dubois: An American Civil Rights Activist

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William Edward Burghardt Dubois (February 23, 1868 - August 27, 1963) is remembered as an American civil rights activist, leader, Pan-Africanist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor, poet, and scholar. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, he was the son of Alfred DuBois and Mary Silvina Burghardt; Dubois was raised in a small, predominantly white town. When he was two his father deserted the family and despite their financial difficulties, he succeeded in school. As an adolescent Dubois realized his calling when a white girl refused a visiting card from him because he was an African American.
In 1884 Dubois graduated from high school as valedictorian of his class. He went on to
Fisk University in Nashville, TN where

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