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Booker T. Washington 1856-1915
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Image above:
Booker T.
Washington, ca. 1890.
Library of
Congress. |
Booker Taliaferro Washington was born a slave on the farm of James
and Elizabeth Burroughs on April 5, 1856, in Franklin County, Virginia.
Then came the
Civil War.
After the Civil War, Booker T.
Washington became founder of Tuskegee Industrial School.
The Atlanta
Compromise
Washington was of the opinion
that it is a good idea to pick your battles. More specifically, he
thought that African Americans would get equal rights faster if they
had a solid job.
On September 18, 1895, Washington
promoted his position eloquently in his speech at the opening of the Cotton
States and International Exposition, which was held at Atlanta,
Georgia.
Hence, his stance became known as the
Atlanta Compromise.
Here you can read the
Atlanta Compromise Speech.
And here is
James Creelman's
report of the crowd's reaction.
Separate but
Equal
Booker T. Washington's view was in contrast with
those who made the fight for civil rights, no matter what the
education or professional training, their first priority.
Harvard
In June 1896, Booker T.
Washington received an honorary degree from Harvard University.
Here is his
Harvard University Address.
Democracy and
Education
On September 30, 1896,
Washington delivered the opening address before the Institute of
Arts and Sciences at Association Hall in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Here is his
Democracy and Education Speech.
Margaret James Murray,
Booker T. Washington's Wife, in 1906
Library of Congress
Booker T. Washington
at his Desk, between 1890 and 1910
Library of Congress
Booker T.
Washington Trivia
Today, you can visit Booker T.
Washington's birthplace, which was transformed into the Booker T.
Washington National Monument.
Here is the
official website.
More History
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