James Leonard Farmer Jr.
- Born:
- January 12, 1920, Marshall, Texas, USA
- Died:
- July 9, 1999, Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Civil Rights Activist, Educator, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born to James L. Farmer Sr., a professor at Wiley College, and Pearl Marion Houston, a teacher.
- Entered Wiley College at age 14.
- Graduated from Wiley College in 1938.
- Earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Howard University in 1941.
Career and Major Achievements
- A leading figure in the American Civil Rights Movement.
- Co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in 1942.
- Organized the first Freedom Ride in 1961.
- Served as National Director of CORE from 1961 to 1966.
- Served as Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Richard Nixon.
- Distinguished Visiting Professor of History and American Studies at Mary Washington College.
- Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998.
Notable Works
- Freedom - When? (1965)
- Autobiography: Lay Bare the Heart: An Autobiography of the Civil Rights Movement (1985). Analyses of james l farmer jr autobiography samples from different perspectives provide valuable insights into his life and the movement.
Legacy and Impact
James L. Farmer Jr. played a pivotal role in the American Civil Rights Movement, advocating for nonviolent resistance and desegregation. His leadership in CORE and the Freedom Rides significantly challenged racial segregation in the United States and contributed to the passage of landmark civil rights legislation.