Black History: Special Delivery!!
Dr. Francis Sumner (1895-1954)
Dr. Francis Sumner was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology. Sumner was born in 1895 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. After elementary school, Sumner was home-schooled by his parents. He was able to pass the entrance exam for Lincoln University even without having attended high school. He began his studies at age 15 and graduated magna cum laude with honors in 1915. Sumner then attended Clark University obtaining a bachelor of arts in English in 1916. He returned to Clark University to complete his Ph.D. in psychology but was unable to start his doctoral studies due to being drafted into the army during World War I. He re-enrolled after completing military service and graduated with his Ph.D in 1920 at Clark University. Sumner became a professor and also began to publish research.
His first teaching position was at Wilberforce University in Ohio. He would later teach at other universities as well. In publishing his research, he encountered many barriers. Many research agencies refused to fund his research because he was black. In publishing articles, Sumner was outspoken in criticism of colleges and universities and their treatment of African American students. He would later go on to become one of the founders of the psychology department at Howard University. He chaired the department from 1928 until his death in 1954
Throughout his career, Sumner investigated ways to refute racism and bias prevalent in many psychological theories that suggested the inferiority of African Americans.
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Reference
Thomas, R. (2006). “Sumner, Francis Cecil.” African American National Biography, edited by Henry Louis Gates Jr, edited by Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham. Oxford African American Studies Center.
http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/psychologists/sumner-prosser.aspx ?
http://legacy.earlham.edu/~knigher/personal%20biography.htm
July 21, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Another pioneer dispelling the myths of intelligence of African-Americans, who certainly provided inspiration and paved the way for many more after him to pursue a terminal degree in Psychology.
July 26, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Yes. He was a trailblazer!! Thanks for always supporting the blog. I appreciate you.
July 31, 2020 at 9:48 am
You have absolutely no idea about how much you are needed and appreciated for spreading truth, inspiration and giving young people motivation to triumph over challenges and defy and disrupt false narratives.
Black history is such a vital component that has been strategically omitted from the school curriculum, and the more info you/we make accessible, from K through 12, it is certain that we will eventually ‘overcome’ as a country. Thank you for being a leader!