Lomax, Louis E.(1922–1970) - Journalist, civil rights activist, Chronology

Louis E. Lomax is perhaps best known for his journalism and books. His commitment to the civil rights struggle of the 1960s is reflected in his work and should be considered a notable achievement for a journalist. Through his news editorials in such publications as the Baltimore Afro-American , the Chicago American , and Harper’s , his impact on the movement continues. Of equal importance are his books: The Reluctant African, The Negro Revolt, When the Word Is Given: A Report on Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and the Black Muslim World, Thailand: The War that Is, The War that Will Be , and his final work To Kill a Black Man . For his scholarly contributions and tireless effort in the human struggle for civil rights, Lomax should be counted among the notable African American scholar activists of his time.

Louis E. Lomax was born on August 16, 1922 in Valdosta, Georgia. His parents were Sarah Louise Smith Lomax and Emanuel C. Lomax, both of Georgia. As the nation entered the Second World War, Lomax chose to take a different route from many African Americans he knew. Instead of enlisting, Lomax entered Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. After completing his B.A. at Paine, Lomax left the South to pursue graduate studies. He received an M.A. in 1944 from American University, and by 1947, he had attained a Ph.D. from Yale University.

Chronology

1922

Born in Valdosta, Georgia on August 16

1939

Attends Paine College, Augusta, Georgia

1942

Receives B.A. from Paine College

1943

Receives M.A. from American University

1947

Receives Ph.D. from Yale University; returns to Georgia, teaches philosophy at Georgia State University; becomes newspaper reporter for the Baltimore Afro-Americanand and the Chicago American

1958

Leaves the Baltimore Afro-American

1959

Becomes a freelance writer for the Amsterdam News and Harper’s Magazine

1960

Publishes first book entitled The Reluctant African

1962

Publishes The Negro Revolt

1963

Publishes When the Word Is Given: A Report on Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and the Black Muslim World

1964–68

Hosts weekly television talk show in Los Angeles, California

1965

Co-hosts with Mike Wallace The Hate that Hate Produced , a documentary on Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam

1968

Publishes To Kill A Black Man

1970

Dies in car accident near Santa Rosa, New Mexico on July 30