Carter Godwin Woodson

Carter Godwin Woodson (December 19, 1875 – April 3, 1950) was an American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. He was one of the first scholars to study African-American history. A founder of The Journal of Negro History in 1916, Woodson has been cited as the 'father of black history'.
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In February 1926 he launched the celebration of 'Negro History Week', the precursor of Black History Month.Born in Virginia, the son of former slaves, Woodson had to put-off schooling while he worked in the coal mines of West Virginia. He made it to Berea College, becoming a teacher and school administrator.

He gained graduate degrees at the University of Chicago and was the second African American to obtain a PhD degree from Harvard University. Most of his academic career was spent at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where Woodson eventually served as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.