Martin Luther King Jr. speaking

Martin Luther King Jr. during the American civil rights movement. Creator recorded on source page. Public domain or freely licensed; see source record.

Historical person · 20th Century

Martin Luther King Jr.

1929–1968

US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and economic justice.

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Quick answers

What to know about Martin Luther King Jr.

Direct answers to common questions about Martin Luther King Jr., followed by the full sourced biography.

Who was Martin Luther King Jr.?

US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and economic justice. King emerged from the Montgomery bus boycott as a national leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Campaigns in Birmingham, Selma and elsewhere used mass nonviolent action to challenge segregation and voting exclusion. Before his assassination he increasingly addressed poverty, labour.

What is Martin Luther King Jr. known for?

Martin Luther King Jr. is particularly known for US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and economic justice., Civil Rights.

When did Martin Luther King Jr. live?

Martin Luther King Jr. lived 1929–1968. This profile places that life within 20th Century and Civil Rights.

Why is Martin Luther King Jr. historically significant?

Martin Luther King Jr.'s career belongs within Civil Rights. Civil-rights change came from long local organising, litigation, direct action and federal politics. Famous leadership should not erase women organisers, students, workers and community institutions. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and.

Biography

Martin Luther King Jr.: life and legacy

Overview

King emerged from the Montgomery bus boycott as a national leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Campaigns in Birmingham, Selma and elsewhere used mass nonviolent action to challenge segregation and voting exclusion. Before his assassination he increasingly addressed poverty, labour rights and the Vietnam War.

Life and career

King emerged from the Montgomery bus boycott as a national leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Campaigns in Birmingham, Selma and elsewhere used mass nonviolent action to challenge segregation and voting exclusion. Before his assassination he increasingly addressed poverty, labour rights and the Vietnam War.

Key events

1929: Born. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929. 20th Century: Historical career. US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and economic justice.

1968: Died. Martin Luther King Jr. died in 1968.

Historical context

Martin Luther King Jr.'s career belongs within Civil Rights. Civil-rights change came from long local organising, litigation, direct action and federal politics. Famous leadership should not erase women organisers, students, workers and community institutions. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and economic justice.

Key moments

Timeline

  1. Born

    Martin Luther King Jr. was born in 1929.

  2. Historical career

    US civil-rights leader who linked nonviolent protest to racial and economic justice.

  3. Died

    Martin Luther King Jr. died in 1968.

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Evidence

Sources and further reading

  1. Martin Luther King Jr. reference searchEncyclopaedia Britannica
  2. Civil Rights research guidesThe National Archives
  3. Biographical records and portraitsNational Portrait Gallery
  4. Historical people and primary sourcesLibrary of Congress
  5. Historical figuresEncyclopaedia Britannica

Biographical claims are summarised from the sources above. Interpretation and disputed reputations are identified in the text rather than presented as settled fact.