Willis Nathaniel Huggins facts for kids
Willis Nathaniel Huggins (born February 7, 1886 – died July 15, 1941) was an important historian and social activist. He was one of the first people to strongly believe that African and African-American history should be taught in schools across America.
Early Life and Education
Willis Huggins was born in Selma, Alabama. When he was young, his family moved to Washington D.C.. After finishing university, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as a high school teacher.
During a time of social change in 1919, Huggins became involved in the "New Negro Movement". This movement encouraged pride and creativity among African Americans. He wrote for several journals that supported African-American rights. He also joined the "Garvey movement," which aimed to make African-American history more popular. He worked alongside other important figures like Arthur Schomburg and John Edward Bruce.
In 1924, Huggins moved to New York City to continue teaching. At that time, it was unusual for Black teachers to work in New York's public schools. Huggins tried to include African and African-American history in the school lessons, but he faced a lot of resistance. Instead, he and other Black teachers taught these subjects in special classes outside of school hours. In 1932, he made history by becoming the first Black student to earn a PhD from Fordham University.
His Work and Activism
Willis Huggins' main goal was to encourage the serious study of African and African-American history. He worked as an associate director for the Blyden Society, an organization dedicated to this purpose.
In 1934, he co-wrote a book called A Guide to the Study of African History with John G. Jackson. This book was meant to help teachers include African history in their lessons. They later wrote another book together in 1937, titled An Introduction to African Civilizations with Main Currents in Ethiopian History.
Huggins was also a strong supporter of Ethiopia. He campaigned for the country during the Italo-Ethiopian War, when Italy invaded and occupied Ethiopia. He became the executive director of the International African Friends of Abyssinia. He was also sent by the American League Against War and Fascism as a special representative to the League of Nations in Geneva. There, he spoke out against Italian fascism and criticized America for not taking a side in the conflict.
Later Life and Passing
Willis Huggins disappeared on December 23, 1940. An overcoat was found on the George Washington Bridge, and he had sent a letter to his wife saying, "Something is going to happen." At the time, Huggins was teaching history and economics at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn. He was also serving as Assistant Principal at Harlem's Union High School in the evenings.
Seven months later, on July 15, 1941, his body was found in the Hudson River by the police. Some of his students from the Blyden Society and people from the Harlem community were concerned about the circumstances of his death.
