W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
African American scholar, educator, and activist. A founder of the NAACP. From 1896-1897, he lived in the College Settlement House at 617 Carver (Rodman) St. while collecting data for his classic study, published in 1899, "The Philadelphia Negro."
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1896 and 1897 the young scholar W.E.B. Du Bois lived in a Philadelphia settlement house while conducting the door-to-door research for "The Philadelphia Negro," published in 1899. That study was one of the first rigorous sociological portraits of an African American community in the United States. Du Bois went on to help found the NAACP and to become one of the most influential Black intellectuals and activists in American history.
Why it matters
The work Du Bois began here helped establish American urban sociology and laid intellectual groundwork for the twentieth-century civil rights movement.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Hill-Physick House0.2 mi away · 321 South 4th Street
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial0.3 mi away
- Powel House0.4 mi away · 244 South 3rd Street
- Bridgette Mayer0.4 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philosophical Hall0.5 mi away · PA
- Congress Hall0.5 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- Italian market0.4 mi away · Christian Street
- Second Bank of the United States0.5 mi away · 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Carpenters' Hall0.5 mi away · 320 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- First Bank of the United States0.5 mi away · 120 South 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell0.5 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- City Tavern0.5 mi away · 138 South 2nd Street
Food & drink
- Talula's Garden0.3 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily0.3 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Cafe Walnut0.4 mi away · 703 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon0.4 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Thank You Thank You Coffee Roasters0.4 mi away · 700 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Maya's Pizza & Grill0.4 mi away · 716 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA
Places to stay
- Morris House Hotel0.4 mi away · 225 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- AKA Washington Square0.5 mi away · 834 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Renaissance Philadelphia Downtown Hotel0.5 mi away · 401 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia Marriott Old City0.5 mi away · 1 Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Alexander Inn0.5 mi away · 301 301 South 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Philadelphia, PA
- Thomas Bond House0.6 mi away · 129 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
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Related people
- · W.E.B. Du Bois
Themes & tags
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