William Edward Burghardt “W.E.B.” Du Bois (1868-1963) was an influential and vanguard civil rights leader, writer, editor, academic and public intellectual.
For much more information about Du Bois’ life and many milestones, please see this entry from the African American National Biography, via the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research.
Much more biographical information and other opportunities to access the works of and learn more about the man and his accomplishments are available all across the World Wide Web.