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Page revised 3/31/2009


O B I T U A R Y   O F
Dr. John Hope Franklin









John Hope Franklin, the scholar who was a pioneer in the field of African American
history and dominated it for nearly six decades, has died at the age of 94.

Franklin, James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History, was a scholar who brought
intellectual rigor as well an engaged passion to his work. He wrote about history - one of his
books, From Slavery to Freedom, is considered a core text on the African American experience,
more than 60 years after its publication - and he lived it.

Franklin worked on the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) case, joined protestors in a 1965
march led by Martin Luther King, Jr. in Montgomery, Ala. and headed President Clinton's
1997 national advisory board on race.

Though Dr. Franklin gained national recognition for his work on President Clinton's 1997 task
force on race, his reputation as a scholar was made in 1947 with the publication of his book,
"From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African-Americans," which is still considered the definitive
account of the black experience in America.

At the 92nd Annual ASALH Convention, we had the privilege of honoring Dr. Franklin
and this seminal work.  Conventioneers and the public were treated to conversations and
special moments with Dr. Franklin who relayed stories from his life that helped to shape him
into the scholar that he became.

He received more than 130 honorary degrees, and served as president of the Phi Beta Kappa Society,
the American Studies Association, the Southern Historical Association, the
Organization of American Historians, the American Historical Association and was a
Life Member of ASALH, former ASALH National Vice President, and a member of the
ASALH Advisory Board until his death.

The Executive Council of ASALH is proud to say that we had the honor to work with and know
Dr. John Hope Franklin and it is with sad and heavy hearts that we give him back to the Lord.

"Dr. Franklin never waivered in his support for ASALH," said Sylvia Cyrus,
ASALH Executive Director.  "Recently he lent his voice to the ASALH project "Freedom's Song"
on the Tulsa Race Riots.  Through this video generations will continue to learn from
Dr. Franklin, a tireless educator and dignified American."

"We have lost a strong supporter and a dear friend," said Dr. John E. Fleming,
ASALH National President.  "He has left a void in the world of history that will not soon be filled."

Dr. Franklin is survived by a son John W. and daughter-in-law Karen R. Franklin.

There will be a celebration of his life and that of his late wife Aurelia
Franklin at 11AM on June 11, 2009
in Duke Chapel on the Campus of Duke University
in honor of their 69th wedding anniversary in Durham, NC.

ASALH will have a special tribute to Dr. Franklin during the Carter G. Woodson
Luncheon at the ASALH Convention.  The Carter G. Woodson Luncheon will be held at
12:00 noon at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza.  More details to follow.
Founders of Black History Month