R.I.P. John Hope Franklin (1915-2009)

The eminent African-American historian John Hope Franklin died this morning at the age of 94.

Throughout his long life, Dr. Franklin had a profound impact on the study of African-American history. His most noted contribution was his 1947 book From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans, considered a landmark in the field. He recently published his autobiography, Mirror to America: The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin, which (if any of you want to buy me something) is high on my reading list.

In 2001 the John Hope Franklin Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies opened on the campus of Duke University. He was named by Professor Molefi Kete Asante in his book, 100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia, in 2002.

Dr. Franklin received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard in 1941. He most recently taught at Duke University, where he was Professor Emeritus of history. Dr. Franklin also taught at the Duke Law School. He passed away at the Duke University Medical Center.