DR. JOHN HENRICK CLARKE
Born in Union Springs, Alabana on January 1, 1915, Dr. John Henrick Clarke grew up in Columbus Georgia before his 1933 arrival in New York City to pursue a career as a writer.
He attended New York University majoring in History and World Literature. His early interest was in the history of African people. Articles and conference papers on African and African American history, politics and culture have been published in leading journals throughout the world under his authorship.
He has written or edited more than 21 books in addition to the more than 50 short stories. "The Boy who Painted Christ Black", which has been translated into more than a dozen languages, is his best known short story.
Dr. Clarke taught African History for 20 years and was Professor Emeritus of African World History in the Department of Africana and Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College where he was the 1983 recipient of the Thomas Hunter Professorship. He is also a former Distinguished visiting Professor of African History at the Africana Studies at Cornell University. Cornell University dedicated its new library in his name in 1986. This memorial reflects his allegiance to scholarship, his deference for academic excellence and his commitment to education.
His associations are also extensive. They include the founding president of the African Heritage Studies Association, a founding member of the Black Academy of Arts and Letters, and his service on the Consultative Council of the International Organization for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination.