William Edward Burghardt Du Bois (1868-1963) championed civil and political rights for persons of colour – and arguably for all those desirous of justice, equality, peace, and solidarity with the human race. He attracted his share of controversy, for his views, expressed through bold activism and copious numbers of books, essays, and editorials, often ran counter to mainstream values and icons. Du Bois exerted a profound influence on the life and letters of the USA and beyond.

Du Bois was born on the 23 rd February 1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to Mary Silvina Burghardt and Alfred Du Bois, and spent his childhood and early youth in that predominantly white New England town. His father left the family when Du Bois was about two years old and never returned, and to maintain the

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Citation: Williams, Robert W.. "Du Bois, W. E. B.". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 June 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5933, accessed 19 March 2024.]

5933 Du Bois, W. E. B. 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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