Dr. John Hope Franklin chronicled the experiences of African-Americans like no one before him, forcing America to recognize Black history as American history. His contributions innumerable, his impact abiding. Here, scholars Robert Harris, David Levering-Lewis, John French and Clifton Wharton Jr. write about the celebrated scholar and activist.
The Consummate Scholar
By Robert L. Harris Jr.
 |
Much has been made of Dr. Franklin’s leadership of the major historical associations but little is said about the position he held as one of the vice presidents, along with the venerable Dr. Benjamin Quarles, of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History during the 1970s. It was a largely honorific position but very important to the organization that he lend his name and prestige to the group that Carter G. Woodson organized in 1915 and that supported Dr. Franklin’s work over the years. He was an active participant in the annual meetings of ASALH and delighted in seeing old friends and former students.
