John Hope Franklin was a prominent African American historian who made significant contributions to the study of Black history in the United States. He was born on January 2, 1915, in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, and grew up in an era of deep segregation and racial violence.

Franklin became known for his groundbreaking research on the history of Black Americans, particularly his work on the history of slavery and Reconstruction. He was a prolific author, writing numerous books and articles that shed light on the experiences of African Americans throughout history.

One of Franklin's most famous works is his book "From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans", first published in 1947 and now in its tenth edition. This comprehensive survey of African American history has been widely acclaimed and is considered a seminal text in the field.

In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Franklin was also a trailblazer in academia. He was the first Black department chair at a predominantly white institution when he was appointed to lead the history department at Brooklyn College in 1956. He later went on to become the first Black president of the American Historical Association in 1979.

Throughout his career, Franklin received numerous accolades and honors for his contributions to Black history and academia. He passed away on March 25, 2009, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a pioneering scholar and advocate for the study of African American history.