Blyden Jackson facts for kids

Blyden Jackson (born October 12, 1910, died 2000) was an important Black American professor, writer, and activist. He grew up in a time when schools and public places were separated by race, especially in the Southern United States.

Jackson made history in 1969. He became the first Black American to be a full professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This was a big step because it was a traditionally white university in the Southeast.

He also started the African American Studies program at UNC Chapel Hill. This program teaches about the history and culture of Black Americans. He also helped hire more Black professors. A building on campus, Jackson Hall, is named after him and his wife, Roberta.

Early Life and Education

Blyden Jackson was born on October 12, 1910, in Paducah, Kentucky. His grandparents had been slaves. His father, George Washington Jackson, was a history teacher. His mother, Julia Reid, was a librarian.

Blyden grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. At that time, many places in the U.S. had segregation. This meant Black and white people were kept separate.

He graduated from Wilberforce University in 1930. Later, he went to the University of Michigan. He received a special scholarship called a Rosenwald Scholarship. He earned his master's degree in 1938 and his PhD in 1952.

His Career as a Professor

Jackson started his teaching career at Madison Jr. High School in Kentucky. He taught there from 1934 to 1945.

Teaching at Historically Black Colleges

In 1945, Jackson joined Fisk University. This was a historically Black college. He taught English there and became an associate professor.

From 1954 to 1956, he was a full professor at Southern University. This was another historically Black college. He later became the dean of its Graduate School.

Making History at UNC Chapel Hill

In 1969, Jackson joined the English department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This was a very important moment. He was the first African American professor to become a full professor there. He was also the first African American professor at a traditionally white university in the Southeast.

He taught as a professor until 1973. After that, he became an administrator. He helped the Dean of the Graduate School until 1981. Then he became an Associate Dean until 1983.

Jackson also started the African-American Studies program at UNC Chapel Hill. He worked on a committee to hire more African American professors.

His Writings

Blyden Jackson wrote several books. These books were about African-American literature. He even wrote one book with Louis D. Rubin Jr..

He wrote about the Harlem Renaissance. This was a time when Black art and culture thrived. He wrote about famous writers like Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, and Richard Wright.

Personal Life and Legacy

Blyden Jackson was married to Roberta Jackson. She was also a professor at UNC Chapel Hill. She passed away in 1999.

In 1989, the Blyden and Roberta Jackson Graduate Fellowship Fund was created. This fund helps students at UNC Chapel Hill. In 1992, a building on campus was named Blyden and Roberta Jackson Hall. It houses the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Blyden Jackson passed away in 2000. He was 89 years old. His work helped open doors for many others.