Alain Locke Historic Marker

701 Arch Street (map)

Dr. Alain Locke (1885 -1954) is the Father of the Harlem Renaissance. He was the first African American Rhodes Scholar, a writer, an educator, a philosopher of race and an exponent of “cultural pluralism.” He called for a “new spirit” among African Americans that would defy social and racial impediments. Locke graduated second in his class from Philadelphia’s Central High School and earned his undergraduate degree and Ph.D. from Harvard University. He served as chair of the Philosophy Department at Howard University, where he introduced the first classes on race relations. Howard University named Locke Hall in his honor. In 1925 Locke published “The New Negro” an anthology by Black writers, including his own work. It remains one of the most influential projects of his career, helping to define the Harlem Renaissance. Locke’s ashes are buried in the historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Additional Information:

Alain Locke Bio, LGBT History Month

Alain Leroy Locke, Pennsylvania Historical Markers

Alain Leroy Locke, ExplorePAhistory