John Lewis

Date of Birth: February 21, 1940

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 17, 2020

Biography

John Robert Lewis was an American politician and civil rights leader who served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. Born on February 21, 1940, in Troy, Alabama, Lewis was one of the “Big Six” leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. He played a key role in several landmark events, including the 1963 March on Washington and the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, which were pivotal in the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Lewis was known for his lifelong commitment to nonviolent activism and public service, earning him numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He authored and co-authored several books, including his memoir “Walking with the Wind” and the graphic novel trilogy “March.”

5 Interesting Facts about John Lewis

1. John Lewis was arrested over 40 times during his lifetime for his activism.

2. He was the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington.

3. Lewis suffered a fractured skull during the “Bloody Sunday” march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965.

4. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 from President Barack Obama.

5. John Lewis was a key figure in the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Lewis

1. “Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.”

2. “You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light.”

3. “Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime.”

4. “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

5. “We are one people, one family, the human family, and what affects one of us affects us all.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, John Lewis’s net worth was estimated to be around $300,000. His wealth primarily came from his salary as a congressman and his book royalties.