Benjamin Mays
| Benjamin Mays | |
|---|---|
Mays by Robert Templeton, 1969
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| 6th President of Morehouse College | |
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In office July 1, 1940 – July 1, 1967 |
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| Preceded by | Charles D. Hubert |
| Succeeded by | Hugh Morris Gloster |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Benjamin Elijah Mays August 1, 1894 Ninety Six, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | March 28, 1984 (aged 89) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) |
Ellen Harvin (m. 1920–23) Sadie Gray (m. 1926–84) |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
Minister Academic Academic administrator |
| Profession | Former dean of Howard University |
| Committees |
African-American Civil Rights Movement Peace movement |
| Religion |
Christianity Baptist (Progressive National Baptist Convention) |
| Awards | Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) Honorary degree from Bishop's University |
Benjamin Elijah Mays (August 1, 1894 – March 28, 1984) was an American Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights, and the progression of political rights of African Americans in America. He was active working with world leaders, such as John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and John D. Rockefeller, in improving the social standing of minorities in politics, education, and business.
Originally enrolling in Virginia Union University, he moved north to attend Bates College in Maine, where he obtained his B.A. in 1920, as a Phi Beta Kappa graduate. He began his activist career as a pastor in the Shiloh Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He then entered the University of Chicago as a graduate student, earning an M.A. in 1925, and a Ph.D. in Religion in 1935. After he attained his Doctorate he went on to teach at Morehouse College, where he taught mathematics and was their debate coach. In 1934, he was appointed dean of the School of Religion at Howard University.
He served as the president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia from 1940 to 1967. He revived the college from serious financial burden and by the end of his term more than quadrupled the endowment. As president, he served as a trusted adviser to U.S. Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Carter. He was appointed by President Truman to the Mid-Century White House Conference on Children and Youth.
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