Preceded by John O. Spencer Religion Methodist Died September 7, 1963 | Succeeded by Martin D. Jenkins Name Dwight Holmes | |
Full Name Dwight Oliver Wendell Holmes Born November 18, 1877
Lewisburg, West Virginia, USA ( 1877-11-18 ) Alma mater Howard University,
Columbia University Profession College administrator, Academia Education Howard University, Columbia University |
Dwight Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ph.D., LL.D. (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 become 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 passed away on September 7, 1963 at the age of 85.