Clarence Albert Bacote (February 24, 1906 – 1981) was a historian and activist from the U.S. state of Georgia. He was a professor of political history at

Atlanta University Clark Atlanta University (CAU or Clark Atlanta) is a private, Methodist, historically black research university in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It was founded on September19, 1865, as Atlanta University, it was the first HBCU in the Southe ...

and a political organizer. The Robert W. Woodruff Library at the

Atlanta University Center The Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUC Consortium) is a collaboration between four historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in southwest Atlanta, Georgia: Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and the Mo ...

have collections of his papers.

Early life and education

Bacote was born February 24, 1906, in

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

. He was the only son and eldest of Samuel William and Lucy (Bledsoe) Bacote's three children. His father was a baptist minister born in

Society Hill, South Carolina Society Hill is a town in Darlington County, South Carolina, Darlington County, South Carolina, United States alongside the Pee Dee River. It is the oldest community in Darlington County and one of the first towns founded in South Carolina. The t ...

, who graduated from

Benedict College Benedict College is a private historically black college in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1870 by northern Baptists, it was originally a teachers' college. It has since expanded to offer majors in many disciplines across ...

Virginia Union Virginia Union University is a private historically black university in Richmond, Virginia. History The American Baptist Home Mission Society (ABHMS) founded the school as Richmond Theological Institute in 1865 shortly after Union troops to ...

, and Kansas City University. His mother was a musician who worked with church choral groups. Bacote graduated from the University of Kansas in 1926 with Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He earned a Master of Arts degree in History in 1929. He continued his studies with degree of Doctor of Philosophy in American History from the University of Chicago in 1955. His doctoral dissertation was titled The Negro in Georgia Politics, 1880-1908.

Career

After a long career at Atlanta University, he joined the history department at

Morehouse College Morehouse College is a Private college, private, Historically black colleges and universities, historically black, Men's colleges in the United States, men's Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia, ...

in 1977 and worked there until he died in 1981.

Writing

He wrote articles and reviews for the ''

Journal of Negro History ''The Journal of African American History'', formerly ''The Journal of Negro History'' (1916–2001), is a quarterly academic journal covering African-American life and history. It was founded in 1916 by Carter G. Woodson. The journal is owned and ...

'', ''

Negro History Bulletin The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is a learned society dedicated to the study and appreciation of African-American History. The association was founded in Chicago on September 9, 1915, during the Natio ...

'', and ''

Phylon ''Phylon'' (subtitle: ''the Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture'') is a semi-annual peer-reviewed academic journal covering culture in the United States from an African-American perspective. It was established in 1940 by W. E. B. D ...

''. His book ''The Story of Atlanta University'' was published in 1969. He wrote several books including: *''The Negro in Georgia Politics, 1880-1908'' Volumes 1 and 2 (1987) *''Higher Education in Virginia Between 1830 and 1860'' (1929) *''The Story of Atlanta University; A Century of Service 1865-1965'' (1969)

Activism

He led Citizenship Schools sponsored by the Atlanta branch of the

N.A.A.C.P. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is an American civil rights organization formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E. B. Du&nb ...

and was involved in voted registration drives.

Personal life

He married Lucia Moore of Atlanta, Georgia, on August 3, 1931. They had two children: Lucia Jean and Samuel William II.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bacote, Clarence Albert 1906 births 1981 deaths 20th-century American historians American male non-fiction writers Clark Atlanta University faculty People from Kansas City, Missouri University of Kansas alumni University of Chicago alumni Morehouse College faculty 20th-century American male writers