John Hope Franklin was a prominent historian and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of Black history. Born on January 2, 1915, in Rentiesville, Oklahoma, Franklin was the son of a lawyer and the grandson of a slave.

He earned his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University in 1941, becoming one of the first African Americans to do so. Franklin taught at various universities throughout his career, including Howard University, the University of Chicago, and Duke University. He was a pioneering scholar in the study of African American history and race relations in the United States.

One of Franklin's most notable works is his book "From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans," which has been widely acclaimed as a foundational text in the field of African American history. He also served on several presidential panels, including the President's Initiative on Race during the Clinton administration.

Throughout his life, Franklin received numerous accolades and awards for his scholarship, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995. He passed away on March 25, 2009, leaving behind a lasting legacy of scholarship and advocacy for the study and understanding of Black history.