Carter Godwin Woodson was born on December 19, 1875, in New Canton, Virginia, to former slaves Anne Eliza and James Henry Woodson. As one of nine children in an impoverished family, Woodson’s early educational opportunities were limited. He could only attend school for a few months each year, as he had to work in the coal mines of West Virginia to help support his family. Despite these challenges, Woodson was determined to pursue education. He taught himself basic subjects and, remarkably, didn’t enter high school until he was 20 years old. He completed the four-year curriculum in just two years at Douglass High School in Huntington, West Virginia.
Woodson’s academic journey continued at Berea College in Kentucky, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in literature in 1903. He then pursued further education, obtaining another bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. In 1912, Woodson achieved a significant milestone by becoming the second African American (after W.E.B. Du Bois) to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Woodson’s professional life was dedicated to education and historical research. He taught in the Philippines as an education supervisor from 1903 to 1907. Upon returning to the United States, he taught at M Street High School (later renamed Dunbar High School) in Washington, D.C., and later joined the faculty at Howard University, serving as dean of the School of Liberal Arts.
Woodson’s frustration with the exclusion of Black Americans from mainstream historical narratives led him to found the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) on September 9, 1915, which is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This organization was dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent. In 1916, Woodson established The Journal of Negro History (now The Journal of African American History), a scholarly publication that presented the findings of researchers in African American history.
Woodson’s most enduring contribution was the creation of Negro History Week in February 1926, which he deliberately placed between the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This observance was the precursor to Black History Month, which was officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1976. Through his writings and organizational work, Woodson sought to ensure that the contributions of African Americans would be recognized and integrated into American history. His seminal work, “The Mis-Education of the Negro“ (1933), criticized the American education system for failing to present accurate Black history and for its role in perpetuating systemic racism.
Other notable publications by Woodson include:
- “The Negro in Our History” (1922)
- “The History of the Negro Church” (1921)
- “Negro Makers of History” (1928)
- “African Myths, Together with Proverbs” (1928)
Woodson dedicated his life to historical research and education, never marrying or having children. He lived modestly in a rowhouse in Washington, D.C., which now serves as the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site.
On April 3, 1950, Woodson died of a heart attack in his home at the age of 74. His legacy, however, continues through the institutions he founded and the tradition of Black History Month, which is now observed in countries around the world. Woodson’s pioneering work challenged prevailing narratives that diminished or ignored African American contributions to history and culture. His famous quote encapsulates his mission: “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” Through his tireless efforts, Carter G. Woodson transformed the study of American history, ensuring that the achievements and struggles of African Americans would be recognized, studied, and celebrated for generations to come.