Date of Birth: August 11, 1925
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: September 23, 2000
Biography
Carl Thomas Rowan was an influential American journalist, author, and government official. Born into a humble background, Rowan rose to become one of the most prominent African American journalists of the 20th century. He was born in Ravenscroft, Tennessee, and grew up in McMinnville. After earning a degree in mathematics from Tennessee State University in 1947, Rowan went on to receive a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota in 1948. Rowan’s career in journalism began at the Minneapolis Tribune, where he became one of the first African Americans to write for a major daily newspaper. His incisive reporting and commentary earned him national recognition and several prestigious awards. Beyond journalism, Rowan served in various government roles, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Ambassador to Finland under the Kennedy administration. Throughout his career, Carl T. Rowan was a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice. He authored several books, including “South of Freedom,” which chronicled his experiences in the segregated South. Rowan’s columns were syndicated in over 100 newspapers across the country, and he made frequent appearances on television and radio, further amplifying his voice and influence.
5 Interesting Facts about Carl T. Rowan
1. Carl Rowan was one of the first African Americans to serve as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy.
2. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in 1963.
3. Rowan was the first African American to serve as a U.S. ambassador to a Scandinavian country (Finland).
4. He founded the Carl T. Rowan Foundation, which provided scholarships to students interested in pursuing careers in journalism.
5. Rowan faced significant backlash and controversy in 1988 when he shot an intruder at his home, sparking a national debate on gun control and self-defense.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Carl T. Rowan
1. “It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home.”
2. “A minority group has ‘arrived’ only when it has the right to produce some fools and scoundrels without the entire group paying for it.”
3. “The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history.”
4. “We emphasize that we believe in equality for all, but some believe that equality means the right to be as mediocre as others.”
5. “Every man has an equal chance to become unequal.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Carl T. Rowan’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Carl T. Rowan had three children: Barbara, Carl Jr., and Geoffrey.
Relevant Links
1. [Carl Rowan Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Rowan
2. [Biography at The HistoryMakers](https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/carl-t-rowan
4. [Carl T. Rowan Foundation](https://www.therowanfoundation.org/