Lerone Bennett, Jr.

Lerone Bennett, Jr. (b. October 17, 1928) is an African American scholar, author and historian.

[edit] Biography

Bennett was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi the son of late Lerone Bennett Sr. and Alma Reed. When he was young his family moved to Jackson, Mississippi. He is most notable for his work as an editor for Ebony Magazine and for two historical texts: Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America, 1619-1962 and Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln's White Dream. The former discusses the contributions of African Americans in the United States, while the latter questions President Abraham Lincoln's role as the "Great Emancipator."

Bennett's Before The Mayflower was originally published in 1963, a year after the desegregation of the University of Mississippi. Since then, Before the Mayflower has been published in seven revised and updated editions. The New Millennium Edition, published in 2003, added three new chapters since the last printing in September 1995 and 32 pages of color photos of modern-day black achievers. Editions of the book have been published in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1982, 1987 and 2003.
Bennett attended Lanier High School.

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