Howard Thurman

Date of Birth: November 18, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: April 10, 1981

Biography

Howard Thurman was a distinguished American theologian, educator, and civil rights leader, whose profound influence extended across multiple domains of spiritual and social life. Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Thurman was raised in a segregated society, yet he rose above the constraints of racial discrimination through his intellect and spiritual depth. He graduated as valedictorian from Morehouse College in 1923 and later received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1926. Thurman was a key figure in the development of a theology that emphasized social justice, nonviolent resistance, and the inherent worth of every individual. His most influential work, “Jesus and the Disinherited” (1949), provided a theological framework for the emerging Civil Rights Movement and deeply influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. In 1944, he co-founded the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco, one of the first racially integrated congregations in the United States. Throughout his career, Thurman served in various academic positions, including as Dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University and later as Dean of Marsh Chapel at Boston University. His teachings and writings continue to inspire contemporary discussions on spirituality, justice, and human rights.

5 Interesting Facts about Howard Thurman

1. Howard Thurman was one of the first African Americans to meet Mahatma Gandhi, and this encounter deeply influenced his thoughts on nonviolence.

2. He was the first African American to hold the position of Dean at a predominantly white university (Boston University).

3. Thurman’s grandmother, who had been enslaved, was a significant influence on his spiritual life and his understanding of resilience and faith.

4. His book “Jesus and the Disinherited” was said to be carried by Martin Luther King Jr. during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

5. Thurman was a mentor and spiritual advisor to numerous civil rights leaders, including James Farmer and Pauli Murray.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Howard Thurman

1. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

2. “Community cannot for long feed on itself; it can only flourish with the coming of others from beyond, their unknown and undiscovered brothers.”

3. “There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have.”

4. “The movement of the spirit of God in the hearts of men often calls them to act against the spirit of their times or causes them to anticipate a spirit which is yet in the making.”

5. “At the core of life is a hard purposefulness, a determination to live.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Howard Thurman’s highest net worth is not well-documented, as his life was primarily dedicated to education, ministry, and social justice rather than personal financial gain.