William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, commonly known as W. E. B. Du Bois, was a prominent African American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and writer. He was born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, a small town that provided a relatively supportive environment for a Black child during that era. Du Bois passed away on August 27, 1963, in Accra, Ghana, where he had spent his last years in voluntary exile.

Du Bois's early life was marked by a strong educational foundation. He was an exceptional student and went on to attend Fisk University, a historically Black university in Tennessee. He later became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1895. His scholarly pursuits laid the groundwork for a prolific literary career that would challenge the prevailing racial ideologies of his time.

As a writer and thinker, Du Bois produced several notable works that made significant contributions to sociology and literature. His most famous work, "The Souls of Black Folk" (1903), is a seminal text that explores the complexities of African American identity and the concept of "double consciousness." He also co-founded the NAACP and edited its magazine, "The Crisis," using it as a platform to advocate for civil rights and social justice.

Du Bois's personal life was as complex as his intellectual endeavors. He was married twice and had two children. His later years were marked by a shift in political ideology, as he became increasingly disillusioned with American society and turned to socialism. His legacy endures, influencing generations of scholars and activists in the fight for racial equality and social justice.