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A photo of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929 - 1968

Martin Luther King Jr. of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee United States was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Fulton County, GA to Alberta Christine King and Martin Luther King Sr.. He had siblings Willie Christine Farris and Alfred Daniel Williams King Sr.. Martin was baptized on May 3, 1936 at Ebenezer Baptist Church 101 Jackson St NE, in Atlanta. He married Coretta (Scott) King on June 18, 1953 in Heiberger, Perry County, AL, and they were married until Martin's death on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Shelby County, TN. He had children Yolanda Denise King, Martin Luther King III, Dexter Scott King, and Bernice Albertine King. Martin King was buried on April 9, 1968 Originally buried at South-View Cemetery on Jonesboro Road in Atlanta, Fulton County, GA.

Martin Luther King Jr.
MLK, MLK Jr., Michael King Jr.
Name
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Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee United States
Last residence
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January 15, 1929
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States
Birth
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April 4, 1968
Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States
Death
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Male
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Martin King (1929 - 1968)
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Martin Luther King Jr.'s History: 1929 - 1968

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  • Introduction

    Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.) was born January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia to Baptist minister Martin Luther King (born Michael King) and his wife, Alberta. He was one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968, preaching Christian values and social equality for all races. King advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States through nonviolence and civil disobedience. With inspiration from both his own Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Gandhi, he was able to lead targeted, and most importantly nonviolent, resistance against Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination in the United States. He is most famously known for being one of the leaders of the The March on Washington in 1963, where he delivered his famous Martin Luther King Jr. Last Speech "I Have a Dream" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in DC. See Passage from the "I Have a Dream Speech" for part of the speech.
  • 01/15
    1929

    Birthday

    January 15, 1929
    Birthdate
    Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia United States
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    King was born on January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia and was the second of three children to Michael King and Alberta Williams King. He had an older sister, Christine King Farris, and a younger brother, Alfred Daniel "A.D." King. His maternal grandfather, Adam Daniel Williams, was the son of Willis and Creecy Williams. Adam Daniel and his mother left the Williams Plantation in rural Georgia after his father’s death in 1874, but continued to sharecrop in the Penfield area until 1893 when they moved to Atlanta. He became second pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church on Auburn Avenue in the following year. Williams married Jennie Celeste Parks. Martin's father, King Sr., was born to sharecroppers, James Albert and Delia King of Stockbridge, Georgia. He was of African-Irish descent. King Sr. left his parents' farm and walked to Atlanta where he attained a high school education and enrolled in Morehouse College to study for entry to the ministry. King Sr. and Alberta began dating in 1920, and married on November 25, 1926. Shortly after marrying Alberta, King Sr. became assistant pastor of the Ebenezer church.

  • Nationality & Locations

    Martin Luther King Jr was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.

  • Early Life & Education

    Martin attended Booker T. Washington High School, the only high school in Atlanta for African-American students. The school had been formed after local black leaders, including King's maternal grandfather strongly urged the Atlanta city government to create this type of school. He maintained a B-plus average throughout high school and was known as a great public speaker, and was part of the school's debate team. As a junior, he applied to Morehouse College, an all-male historically black college, (King's father and maternal grandfather were alumni). They were accepting students as juniors due to low enrollment because of men being drafted into World War II. King was accepted in 1944 at only 15 years old, and began there in the fall. To help students pay for college, the school had partnered with a farm and had students (including Kin) worked in the fields, picking tobacco from 7:00am till at least 5:00pm. In 1951, King started his education at Boston University, where he studied systemic theology. He also attended philosophy classes at Harvard University as an audit student in 1952 and 1953. King had obtained his Ph.D.
  • 05/3
    1936

    Baptism

    May 3, 1936
    Baptism date
    Ebenezer Baptist Church 101 Jackson St NE, in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia 30312, United States
    Place of worship

  • Religious Beliefs

    MLK was by all accounts deeply religious, and it was his belief in the Christian faith that inspired and guided him during his time as a civil activist. Prior to making headlines, Martin Luther King Jr. completed seminary at the Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania after graduating Morehouse College, and was a devoted minister who was called to Montgomery's Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. In 1960 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. became a co-pastor of Ebenezer with his father, and remained in that position until his death in 1968.

  • Military Service

    MLK did not serve in the United States Military. During the Vietnam War Dr. King encouraged young men to avoid being drafted into the controversial war by becoming conscientious objectors. In 2019, retired Sgt. Maj. Todd B. Hunter said during an event to honor the civil rights leader at the Association of the U.S. Army’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia that MLK left an indelible mark on the U.S. military. He made the observation that Dr. King put his life on the line to ensure “the real promise of democracy for all Americans", and that "you can see Dr. King's fingerprint on today's Army formations" who made note that discrimination at home was more commonplace than in the military.

  • Professional Career

    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the Civil Rights Movement from 1954 until his death in 1968. In 1964, when MLK was 35 years old, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in America.

  • Personal Life & Family

    Martin Luther King Jr married Coretta Scott on June 18, 1953 on the lawn of her parents' house in her hometown of Heiberger, Alabama. The couple had four children together: Yolanda King (1955–2007), Martin Luther King III (b. 1957), Dexter Scott King (b. 1961), and Bernice King (b. 1963). During their marriage, King limited Coretta's role in the civil rights movement, expecting her to be a housewife and mother. Do we think this was to protect her in a way as well?
  • 04/4
    1968

    Death

    April 4, 1968
    Death date
    Assassination by firearm
    Cause of death
    Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee United States
    Death location
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  • 04/9
    1968

    Gravesite & Burial

    April 9, 1968
    Funeral date
    Originally buried at South-View Cemetery on Jonesboro Road in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia United States
    Burial location

  • Obituary

    The following appeared in The Atlanta Constitution on April 8th 1968 on page 23. KING - Services for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be held for the immediate family and members of Ebenezer Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 9, 1968 from Ebenezer Baptist Church, Rev. Ralph David Abernathy officiating. The procession will leave Ebenezer at 11 o'clock and proceed to the Morehouse College Campus for the service which is open to all at 1 p.m. Dr. King is survived by his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King; children, Yolanda Denise (12), Martin Luther III (10), Dexter Scott (7), Bernice Albertine (5); parents, Rev. and Mrs. Martin Luther King Sr.; sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Farris Sr. and children, Isaac Jr., Angela Christine, brother and sister-in-law, Rev. and Mrs. A.D. Williams King and children, Alveda Celeste, A.D. Williams II, Derek Barber, Esther Darlene, Vernon Christopher; three uncles, four aunts, a large number of relatives and countless thousands of admiring and loving friends and followers the world over. For those who would like to express their appreciation to Dr. King and his family by sending flowers it is suggested that contributions be made to the Martin Luther King Memorial Fund. This fund will be used to perpetrate and perpetuate the idea of Dr. King. The remains will be viewed at the church until 9 a.m. Tuesday. Entombment at South View Cemetery. Family will assemble at 234 Sunset Ave. NW. Hanley's Bell St. Funeral Home and Marcellous Thornton, mortician in charge.
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    Martin Luther King, Jr. lived 33 years shorter than the average family member when died at the age of 39.
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26 Memories, Stories & Photos about Martin

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
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01/14/2023
Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X meet only once and lasted one minute. Both men had come to hear the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Date & Place: in Washington, District of Columbia County, District Of Columbia United States
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Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech
Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
657 favorites
10/29/2023
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" Speech
Learn about the political and social context behind Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have A Dream" speech, the rhetorical devices that helped its concepts resonate, and its effect on the broader Civil Rights Movement.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Sammy Davis Jr. and Martin Luther King.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
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02/22/2019
Sammy Davis Jr. and Martin Luther King.
A photo of Sammy Davis Jr.with Rev. Martin Luther King.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Kelly...
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411 favorites
01/14/2023
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Kelly...
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Martin Luther King press conference
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01/14/2023
Martin Luther King press conference
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Picketing at White House | MLK's Assassination
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
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01/14/2023
Picketing at White House | MLK's Assassination
After the assassination of Martin Luther King Junior, people picketed the White House in favor of expanding Civil Rights.

The signs visible in this photo say "WE have a dream" and "Let his death not be in vain"

courtesy of the Library of Congress,
Date & Place: at White House in Washington DC, Washington DC USA
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The March on Washington in 1963
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
2.74k+ favorites
08/25/2011
The March on Washington in 1963
The March on Washington in favor of Civil Rights, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Over 200,000 people marched on Washington DC to protest for Civil Rights for African-Americans. This is the March in which Dr King gave his famous "I have a dream" speech.

Dr King is shown in this photo with other civil rights leaders - they are in front of the bandstand, surrounded by protest signs.

courtesy of the Library of Congress, Leffler, Warren K., photographer
Date & Place: at The Mall in Washington DC, Washington DC USA
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411 favorites
08/28/2020
On Aug 28th 1963, over half a century ago, Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington. 200,000+ people marched that day for "Jobs and Freedom". Notice the sign "No U.S. Dough to help Jim Crow Grow"? Jim Crow refers to repressive laws that enforced racial segregation and were used to restrict African American rights. The term originated from 1830s actor Thomas D. Rice who made a name for himself performing as "Jim Crow" - a clumsy & slow witted caricature of a black slave.
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Photo of Jamie O'Rourke Jamie O'Rourke
via Facebook
08/28/2020
Democrat jim crow laws
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Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Kelly...
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
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01/13/2023
Statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Kelly...
Date & Place: at Ingram Park in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama United States
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North front - Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic...
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01/13/2023
North front - Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic...
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Photo of Daniel Pinna Daniel Pinna
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01/13/2023
The People Behind the Tributes
This article appeared in The Atlanta Constitution on April 11th 1968 shortly after the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

Everybody was busily congratulating everybody else yesterday for Atlanta's response to the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And it is true: Atlantans did meet the logistical challenge, and they did keep the faith. So before any further time passes, let a grateful city take note of those who performed so well.

William B. Hartsfield, Atlanta's mayor emeritus, praised his successor, Mayor Allen, the policemen and firemen, city government department heads, the Atlanta Transit System and the city's taxi companies. Mayor Allen added his appreciation of the job done by Southern Christian Leadership Conference workers and their volunteer assistants.

Police Chief Jenkins thanked the 200 Atlanta firemen who served special duty as parade marshals. Many others added tributes. But the praise needs to be spread even further. All Atlanta responded well.

Logistically, Atlanta never had been faced with anything like it before. The flood of visitors-from notables to the most humble-overwhelmed the capacity of the city's hotels and tax fleet. Volunteers, black and white alike, pitched in to drive visitors in from the airport and to offer room. Churches supplied both food and shelter.

And despite a crush of humanity that made timetables collapse, the march was as orderly as it was impressive. But the Atlantans who paid the final and perhaps most significant tribute to Dr. King were young black people- Clark College students on the West Side and the Young Men's Civic League, a Summerhill organization of admitted former troublemakers. "Riots hurt me and you, baby," was the theme of the flyers the Summerhill group distributed.

Clark's "Operation Respect" distributed a paper which concluded; "Dr. King stood for love and understanding among men of all races and creeds...If we truly respect him, our responsibility, therefore, is to see that his dream becomes a reality. Violence is not and cannot be the answer."

This sort of silent tribute was one that would have gladdened Dr. King's heart. It merits the gratitude of the entire community.
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Martin King's Family Tree & Friends

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Friendships

Martin's Friends

Friends of Martin Friends can be as close as family. Add Martin's family friends, and his friends from childhood through adulthood.
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12 Followers & Sources
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Other Biographies

Other Martin King Biographies

King, Martin (May 30, 1931 - Oct 8, 2011) King, Martin (Feb 28, 1916 - Feb 26, 1967) King, Martin (May 19, 1909 - Jan 31, 1963) King Ori, Martin (Born 1979) King, Martin (May 5, 1915 - Aug 1974) King, Martin (Nov 11, 1902 - Aug 6, 1990) King, Martin (Jul 28, 1910 - Aug 1980) King, Martin (Dec 16, 1895 - Feb 1972) King, Martin (Feb 21, 1949 - May 29, 2002) King, Martin (Dec 24, 1897 - Jan 4, 1992)
King, Martin (Sep 24, 1919 - May 1987) King, Martin (Jun 11, 1894 - Apr 1977) King, Martin (Apr 1, 1903 - Apr 1983) King, Martin (Jul 23, 1900 - Oct 1979) King, Martin (Sep 19, 1952 - Nov 20, 2008) King, Martin (Jul 4, 1896 - Aug 1981) King, Martin (Jan 5, 1910 - Feb 14, 1992) King, Martin (Sep 11, 1903 - Dec 1970) King, Martin (Oct 25, 1905 - Sep 1971) King, Martin (Oct 28, 1915 - May 11, 1976)

Other King Family Biographies

King, Alton (Nov 20, 1874 - May 10, 1969) King, Walter (Born 1911) King, Sarah (Born Oct 4, 1865) Murray, Kathryn  (Born 1850) Butterfield, Sarah Ann (Born Aug 6, 1849) King, Blanche (Born Feb 19, 1895) King, Edward Adkins, Blanche (Born Sep 24, 1899) King, Blanche (Born Sep 24, 1889) King, Rufas (Born Sep 28, 1909)
King, Jerry (Born Nov 10, 1911) King, Eva (Born Aug 21, 1889) King, Purdie (Born Feb 10, 1892) King, Bernice (Born Dec 20, 1892) King, Ralph (Sep 25, 1908 - Apr 13, 1997) King, Gerold (Nov 10, 1911 - Jun 18, 1996) King, Barton (Born Sep 28, 1909) King, Marie (Dec 11, 1941 - Feb 19, 2010) King, Evelyn (Born Dec 17, 1931) King, Leland (Born Feb 2, 1931)
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