Gregory, Dick (1932-2017), was an African American comedian who gained fame for his satirical views on American racial attitudes. He later became an author, civil rights leader, and business executive.
Richard Claxton Gregory was born on Oct. 12, 1932, in St. Louis, Missouri. He began his professional career in 1958 as a master of ceremonies at several Chicago nightclubs. Gregory wrote several books of humor , including From the Back of the Bus (1964) and Write Me In! (1968).
Also during the 1960’s, Gregory became active in civil rights. He believed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) played a role in the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. , in 1968. Gregory’s personal study into the matter resulted in his book Code Name “Zorro” (1978). A congressional investigation disagreed with his theory.
Gregory was an outspoken critic of American involvement in the Vietnam War (1957-1975). In the 1980’s, he became a successful businessman in the area of health and nutrition . He wrote two volumes of autobiography, nigger (1964) and Callus on My Soul (with Shelia P. Moses, 2000). Gregory died on Aug. 19, 2017.
