Preceded by John O. Spencer Died 7 September 1963 | Religion Methodist Succeeded by Martin David Jenkins | |
Full Name Dwight Oliver Wendell Holmes Born November 18, 1877Lewisburg, West Virginia, USA ( 1877-11-18 ) Profession College administrator, Academia Books The evolution of the Negro college Education | ||
Dwight Oliver Wendell Holmes (November 18, 1877 – September 7, 1963) was an American sociologist, civil rights activist, collegiate athlete, author, and served as the 6th President of Morgan State College (now known as Morgan State University) from 1937 to 1948.
Early life and career
Holmes was born in Lewisburg, West Virginia and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, New York City, and Staunton, Virginia. He was the son of the Reverend John A. Holmes, a pastor with the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. for almost twenty years. As an undergraduate at Howard University, Holmes played quarterback and became the team captain of the Howard Bison football and baseball teams. Additionally, he became the president of the first tennis team at Howard, was a member of the debate and glee clubs. He earned a B.A. degree in 1901 and was valedictorian of the graduating class. Afterwards, Holmes continued his collegiate studies at Columbia University, where he earned both a M.A. and Ph.D.
In 1934, he wrote The Evolution of the Negro College, a book focusing on the evolution of the Negro Colleges (what's now referred to as HBCUs), and the resources that these institutions should provide to the African-American population in the Southern states of the U.S. post-Civil War.
Holmes died on September 7, 1963 at the age of 85.