Martin Luther King Jr. - Famous Leader

Michael Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta Georgia on January15, 1929 to Michael King, Sr. and Alberta Williams King; later in life young Michael would become known as one of the most respected leaders of all time: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1934 the King family traveled to Europe and while there five-year-old Michael’s name was changed to Martin. Martin and his siblings, an older sister by the name of Willie Christine and a younger brother named Alfred Daniel Williams King), were raised in the church as both his father and grandfather were ministers. From a young age, Martin struggled with questions surrounding religion in general and was known to be uncomfortable with emotional displays of religious worship. Martin completed his early education in the public school system and after skipping two separate grades at Booker T. Washington High School, Martin entered Morehouse College in 1944 at the young age of 15. (Famous People.).

Martin graduated from Morehouse in 1948 and despite earlier struggles with religion and his path toward a religious life he chose to enter Crozer Theological Seminary after graduation. He graduated from Crozer in 1951 and then earned his doctorate in theology from Boston University in 1955 at the age of 25. During his studies at Boston University, Martin met Coretta Scott whom he married on June 18, 1953. The Kings had four children and in 1954, Martin was named the minister of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery Alabama. In Alabama, Martin became involved in the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the Alabama Council on Human Relations. (Encyclopedia of World Biography).

Dr. King grew up in a household that fought racism and prejudice, his father also fought the battle when he was growing up. Martin’s dad was not motivated as much because his race suffered, but more because of how he felt it conflicted with God’s will. The elder King strongly encouraged his children to avoid any feelings or sense of class superiority and this left a very strong and lasting impression on young Martin. Another key factor in the shaping of Dr. King’s future was the Benjamin E. Mays, the president of Morehouse College who guided Martin and influenced his further spiritual development. Benjamin Mays was very outspoken regarding matters of racial equality and he is the one who encouraged Martin to use Christianity as a force for social change, thereby further watering the seed that had been sown in childhood. (bio.).

The well-known Montgomery bus boycott was the first, international civil rights battle that Dr. King was involved in and solidified his commitment to the cause. December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks, an elderly African-American woman, was asked to give her seat on the bus up to white passengers. Mrs. Parks refused and was ultimately arrested. On December 2, 1955 local black leaders organized a bus boycott planning meeting at Dexter Avenue Baptist