Locke, Alain LeRoy (1885-1954), was an African American educator, philosopher, and writer. An authority on African American culture, Locke played a major role in promoting the careers of black writers and artists and encouraging serious critical review of their work.
In 1925, Locke organized and edited an issue of the magazine Survey titled “Harlem, Mecca of the New Negro,” which included contributions from black writers. In the issue’s lead essay, Locke presented the writings as evidence of the renewed artistic and cultural life in the African American community. Locke expanded the magazine issue into a book, The New Negro (1925), a rich collection of African American literature. Locke emerged as the principal voice for what he called “The New Negro Movement,” commonly known as the “Harlem Renaissance.”
Locke was born on Sept. 13, 1885, in Philadelphia. He was a brilliant student and became the first African American to receive a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University in England. He died on June 9, 1954.
