Carter G. Woodson

Date of Birth: December 19, 1875

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: April 3, 1950

Biography

Carter Godwin Woodson, born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, was a pioneering African-American historian, author, journalist, and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Often referred to as the “Father of Black History,” Woodson dedicated his life to the accurate documentation and promotion of African-American history and culture. He was the second African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, following W.E.B. Du Bois. In 1926, Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week, which later evolved into Black History Month, celebrated every February in the United States. Woodson’s seminal work, “The Mis-Education of the Negro” (1933), critiques the education system’s failure to properly educate African-Americans and remains influential to this day. Carter G. Woodson passed away on April 3, 1950, but his legacy continues to inspire scholars and activists worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Carter G. Woodson

1. Carter G. Woodson was the son of former slaves, and he worked in coal mines before pursuing his education.

2. He was the second African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1912.

3. Woodson established the Journal of Negro History in 1916, which is still published today as the Journal of African American History.

4. He founded Negro History Week in 1926, which later became Black History Month in 1976.

5. Woodson wrote over 30 books, including “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” which remains a critical analysis of the education system.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carter G. Woodson

1. “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”

2. “If you can control a man’s thinking, you do not have to worry about his actions.”

3. “The mere imparting of information is not education.”

4. “History shows that it does not matter who is in power or what revolutionary forces take over the government, those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they had in the beginning.”

5. “Philosophers have long conceded, however, that every man has two educators: ‘that which is given to him, and the other that which he gives himself.’”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Carter G. Woodson did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime. His work was more focused on academic and social contributions rather than financial gain. Thus, his net worth was modest.