JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN (1915-2009) was an educator and historian, best known for From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans, first published in 1947, and continuously updated.
Born January 2, 1915, in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, Franklin was named after John Hope. He was the son of Buck Colbert Franklin, one of the first black lawyers in the Oklahoma Indian territory, and Mollie Parker Franklin, a schoolteacher and community leader.
He excelled academically and graduated as valedictorian of his class from Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. The state, however, would not allow him to enroll at Oklahoma State because of his race. He instead enrolled in Fisk University intending to study law.
A white history professor, Theodore Currier, caused him to change his mind and he received his bachelor’s degree in history in 1935. Currier became a close friend and mentor, and when Franklin’s money ran out, Currier loaned him $500 to attend graduate school at Harvard University, where he received his master’s in 1936 and doctorate five years later.
While at Fisk, Franklin met and courted the former Aurelia Whittington. They married on June 11, 1940, at her parents’ home in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Their only child, John Whittington Franklin, was born August 24, 1952.
Franklin began his career as an instructor at Fisk in 1936 and taught at St. Augustine’s and North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University), both historically black colleges. In 1945, Alfred A. Knopf approached him about writing a book on African-American history – originally titled From Slavery to Freedom: A History of American Negroes — and he spent 13 months writing it.
Then in 1947, he took a post as professor at Howard University, where, in the early 1950s, he traveled from Washington to Thurgood Marshall’s law office to help prepare the brief that led to the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision. In 1956, he became chairman of the all-white history department at Brooklyn College. Despite his position, he had to visit 35 real estate agents before he was able to buy a house for his young family, and no New York bank would loan him the money.
In 1976, the National Endowment for the Humanities selected Franklin for the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government’s highest honor for achievement in the humanities. Franklin’s three-part lecture became the basis for his book Racial Equality in America. He began teaching at Duke in 1982, retired from the history department in 1985 and then spent seven years as professor of legal history at the Duke Law School. In 1995, Franklin was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Two years later, President Clinton appointed Franklin chairman of the advisory board for his One America: The President’s Initiative on Race. The seven-member panel was charged with directing a national conversation on race relations. When he was named to the post, Franklin remarked, “I am not sure this is an honor. It may be a burden.” On November 15, 2006, Franklin was announced as the third recipient of the John W. Kluge Prize for lifetime achievement in the study of humanity.
Franklin died of congestive heart failure at Duke Hospital March 25. He is survived by his son, John Whittington Franklin, daughter-in-law Karen Roberts Franklin, sister-in-law Bertha W. Gibbs, cousin Grant Franklin Sr. and a host of other relatives, students and friends. Per Franklin’s wishes, there was no funeral or memorial service. However, there will be a celebration of his life and of his late wife, Aurelia, at 11 a.m. June 11 in Duke Chapel in honor of their 69th wedding anniversary.
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Concrete Loop features ‘CL History Spotlights’ each week honoring individuals who have played pivotal roles in history. submissions are welcome.
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WOW, Im so hype about this piece This Man was a major part of our
history and more of us need to know who he is … thanks Angel !
I can’t believe you all actually listen When your readers ask!!
Concreteloop ROCKS !
Wow what an amazing man, he did a lot! I wish his family the best, they should be very proud!!!:}
Love it! Keep up the great work, CL!! *thumbs up*
that’s what I love about Black… and we still having people stating that black don’t like to Work…
Keep let them comming CL
That’s so cool, this generation of African Americans really makes some of us look so bad. Take heed kiddies, this is how it’s done.
A name and legacy to remember. R.I.P. These are the shoulders we stand on!
If I can become half of the historian this man was I will die in peace. My students will have an essay on the impact John Hope Franklin had on US history the first month of class! You can bet he’s making his way into my lesson plans.
Another GREAT post CL! Keep up the good work!
HEY HEY! Shot out to all FISKITES! John Hope Franklin created a legacy that none of us should ever forget.
FISK FOREVER! : )
I heard this man speak while I was at Duke and he’s on my list of personal heroes! RIP Dr. Franklin, you are sorely missed….
A Fiskite ever on the altar…
He was truly one of the kindest and nicest men I’ve ever met.
RIP, but he’s back with Aurelia now… man, I wish I had a love like that.
I was very sad to hear about JH Franklin. We have lost so much with his death. He really was “the man”. You should read his books and read about his life. He survived the riots in Oklahoma when they destroyed Black Wall Street. The way he told stories would make you excited about history. His book on slavery changed the way America (white and black) approached the topic. He shared his intellect with Thurgood Marshall when he was trying to overturn Brown vs Board of Education and he marched in Selma Alabama. He also DISAGREED I wish I had met him in person. God bless his wonderful soul and bless his family….
I was very sad to hear about JH Franklin. We have lost so much with his death. He really was “the man”. You should read his books and read about his life. He survived the riots in Oklahoma when they destroyed Black Wall Street. The way he told stories would make you excited about history. His book on slavery changed the way America (white and black) approached the topic. He shared his intellect with Thurgood Marshall when he was trying to overturn Brown vs Board of Education and he marched in Selma Alabama. He also DISAGREED with much of Bill Cosby’s infamous rant about “dirty laundry” a few years ago. (hallelujah) I wish I had met him in person. God bless his wonderful soul and bless his family….
This man laid down some major foundation for my generation & the next to walk on. I can’t get too contempt with the ways things are today, my ancestors struggled, I need to be better than my counterparts, to push myself & my generation into a aura where I can be prouder and maybe just maybe, inspire others the way Mr. Franklin laid it down. Peace…
I have read all of his books and I mean ALL. rawdawgbuffalo
Know all about him I went to John Hope Highschool in chicago
A great Pioneer.
CL, this was a well-written tribute for an incredible man.
Fisk Forever!
History is positive and uplifting. I can definitely digg.
Man do I wish grad school still cost $500!! :0)
Had to read his textbook while in college. It was one of the best books I’ve ever read. R.I.P.
Thank you for posting this. He was a great man and an inspiration. I got to meet him a few times and hear him speak and he was amazing.
He was a leader in keeping black history alive
RIP Brother Franklin…emails about him have been floating around all of my ALPHA listserves, glad to see people outside the fraternity recognizing his passing.
What an amazing man, what an amazing piece……
Thanks CL!!! This was very insightful!!! I love my weekly history lesson from you guys! Keep up the good work!
Thanks concrete loop I look forward to these pieces of contribution that African American has made Keep it up
May God rest his soul
Dr. Franklin, my Frat (APA – ’06) , produced SO much high quality work throughout this lifetime. We should study his work DAILY for the rest of our lives, and we should celebrate the historical works that he highlighted.
This is some history I wasn’t aware of. Great Job!
Thanks Concrete loop. It’s always great to read pieces like this. There is more to black people than arts, sports, and business.
He was an excellent author. I read his book about nine years ago in college..opps I am dating myself:) He is a ture pioneer and great educator!!CL keep up the great work.
Thank you for featuring this.
There has not been enough attention on the passing of this important figure.
Keep up the good work!
“Mr. Franklin was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. He was an early beneficiary of the fraternity’s Foundation Publishers, which provides financial support and fellowship for writers addressing African-American issues.”
I’ve read almost all of this sites “spotlight” entries, but more than half of the individuals featured in the spotlight were members of black Greek lettered organizations, but that part of that persons bio was always left out. So, I felt the need to post that Mr. Franklin was a member of the first black Greek-lettered Fraternity. It is a shame that black Fraternities and Sororities are viewed in sure negative light, after giving over a hundred years of our blood, sweat and tears to our communities. We are still not recognized as a positive hard working group of young and old educated men and women in the black community. We have to remember these organizations were founded in a time when blacks and women (as a whole) were not accepted as intelligence individuals. Members could not meet in groups, some had to meet in broom closets and other secret meeting places. Others were beating, killed and ridiculed for believing that their race should be equaled to others. In order for us to move forward we can never forget our past and these who came before us. To the house maids, nannies, field works, and college students would participated in the sit-ins, boycotts and rallies, thanks for giving your lives for us your future. And to my Greek-lettered brothers and sister keep up the good work.
This is why CL is a standout. Informative yet entertaining! Big ups to Tippinbyya for putting them up on the life and times of Dr. John Hope Franklin.
This is why CL is a standout. Informative yet entertaining! Big ups to Tippinbyya for putting them up on the life and times of Dr. John Hope Franklin.
Great article CL. Thanks!
May his memory live on. Kids, THIS is an example of someone you should look up to. THESE are your heroes.
Thanks CL!
I saw Mr. Franklin several times on TV interviews and documentaries, and read one of his books, and was thinking to myself I needed to learn more about this man. I’m glad he lived long enough to see President Obama take the oath of office. We need to continue on in his legacy; making sure that America’s history is accurately told! That it reflects us as we really are and nothing less.
a hero to all!!!
RIP Mr. Franklin……North Carolina Central University(NCCU)!!!!
Now that is the type of legacy I want to have before I die! This is and was an amazing individual and dedicated his whole life educating others and doing good. R.I.P. John Hope Franklin!
RIP, Mr. Franklin.
I believe I was watching a piece on him and he spoke about his not-so-lovely encounter with W.E.B Dubois as a young college student.
Amazing man.
I wonder who is taking care of his orchids.
History MAJORS rule.
He is a great inspiration for me.
Alpha Phi Alpha!!!!!!
You will be missed Brother Franklin
Nice shoes Rhi but that hair is dreadful!!!! Get yoself 2getha!!!
R.I.P. for sure!!! but can anyone tell me why when I look at his picture I feel like Im looking at an old Ricky Smiley or his grandpa or something?!?
RIP, I read From Slavery to Freedom in college too .
GOD BLESS…..