Philosopher Alain Locke, the first Black Rhodes Scholar, is born in Philadelphia.
At a Glance
- Date
- 13 September 1886
- Location
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Key people
- Alain Locke
- Category
- Arts & Literature
- Source
- The New Negro (1925) · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
As editor of 'The New Negro,' he became the intellectual architect of the Harlem Renaissance.
What It Means Now
Locke is celebrated as the 'Dean' of the Harlem Renaissance.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Alain Locke Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alain-locke-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Alain Locke Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alain-locke-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Alain Locke Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/alain-locke-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.