1868 - 1963
W. E. B. Du Bois was an American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and writer, born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He was a co-founder of the NAACP and is best known for his influential works, including "The Souls of Black Folk," which addressed the struggles of African Americans in the early 20th century and advocated for social justice and equality. Du Bois was a pioneering advocate for Pan-Africanism and emphasized the importance of higher education for the African American community.