W.E.B DuBois (William Edward Burghardt) was born February 23, 1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, United States. His mother was a domestic worker and his father was a barber. His father left the family when when William was still young.
His mother died in 1884 leaving 16 year old William penniless. To make money he worked as a timekeeper in a local mill. That same year he became the first African American to graduate from his high school.
Where he grew up there were probably fewer than 50 African Americans among the 4,000 residents. When he attended
Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee he finally experienced African American culture but he also witnessed firsthand the racism in the US.
His mother died in 1884 leaving 16 year old William penniless. To make money he worked as a timekeeper in a local mill. That same year he became the first African American to graduate from his high school.
Where he grew up there were probably fewer than 50 African Americans among the 4,000 residents. When he attended
Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee he finally experienced African American culture but he also witnessed firsthand the racism in the US.