W. E. B. Du Bois

What W. contributed

Combined sociological research, historical writing, and organizing to challenge racial inequality.

The story

Du Bois helped establish the Niagara Movement and became a founding member of the NAACP. His books and his editorship of The Crisis connected scholarship with a broad public conversation about rights and equality.

Why it matters

He helped establish rigorous study of Black life as a foundation for civil-rights advocacy.