William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, was an American sociologist, socialist, historian, and Pan-Africanist civil rights activist. He grew up in a relatively tolerant and integrated community, receiving support from his mother and the local church congregation after his father left the family when he was young. Despite facing racism as a fatherless child and a minority in the town, Du Bois excelled academically and graduated from Searles High School.

His education continued at Fisk University and later Harvard College, where he earned his second bachelor's degree in history in 1890. Du Bois then pursued graduate studies at Harvard, becoming the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from the university in 1895. He furthered his education in Europe, studying in Berlin and completing his graduate work.

Du Bois's academic career took him to Wilberforce University in Ohio and the University of Pennsylvania, where he conducted groundbreaking sociological research, particularly with his seminal work, "The Philadelphia Negro" (1899). This study provided a comprehensive analysis of African-American life in Philadelphia, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the impact of racial segregation.

Throughout his life, Du Bois was deeply involved in civil rights activism and intellectual discourse. He co-founded the Niagara Movement in 1905, opposing Booker T. Washington's accommodationist approach and advocating for full civil rights and equal opportunities for African Americans. This movement later evolved into the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where Du Bois served as a prominent leader and editor of the organization's magazine, "The Crisis."

Du Bois's activism extended beyond the United States, as he became a staunch advocate for Pan-Africanism and fought for the rights of people of African descent globally. He organized Pan-African Congresses and participated in international conferences, urging for the independence of African colonies from European powers.

Despite facing challenges, including opposition from within the NAACP and government scrutiny during the McCarthy era, Du Bois remained committed to his principles. He continued his activism, critiquing racial injustices, promoting socialism, and advocating for world peace until his passing in 1963 in Accra, Ghana, where he had moved in his later years. Throughout his life, Du Bois's work as a scholar and activist left a lasting impact on civil rights movements and sociological thought, challenging racial inequalities and advancing the cause of social justice.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._E._B._Du_Bois