William Leo Hansberry
Encyclopedia
William Leo Hansberry was an American
scholar and lecturer
. His was the older brother of real estate
broker
Carl Augustus Hansberry
, uncle of award-winning playwright
Lorraine Hansberry
and great-granduncle of actress Taye Hansberry.
. He was the son of Elden Hayes and Pauline (Bailey) Hansberry. His father taught history at Alcorn A&M
in Lorman, Mississippi
, but died when the younger Hansberry was only three years old. He and his younger brother, Carl Augustus Hansberry
, where raised by their stepfather, Elijah Washington.
In 1915, he attended Atlanta University, where he was exposed to a new volume of essays on race (published by the university's Sociology Department), which served as a major influence on him. Another big influence was the book, "The Negro" by W. E. B. Du Bois. After, he purchased a copy of the book, he rushed to the school's library to refer to the references cited in the volume. To his dismay, Hansberry discovered Atlanta University's reference library to be sorely lacking. As a result, he left Atlanta University two weeks into his sophomore year to transfer to the best-equipped university he could find that would admit blacks. As a result, he began studies at Harvard University
in February 1917. where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1921.
Upon his graduation from Harvard, Hansberry taught for a year at Straight College
(now Dillard University
) in New Orleans. In September 1922, Hansberry joined the faculty of Howard University
where he started the African Civilization Section of the History Department.
Hansberry received his Masters from Harvard in 1932. Additional post-graduate work was done at the University of Chicago
, Oxford University and Cairo University
. His knowledge of African studies was so vast that he was unable to obtain a Ph.D. because there was no school with faculty members qualified to supervise his dissertation.
As a professor at Howard, Hansberry taught courses on African civilizations and cultures. By the mid-1930s, he was internationally recognized by his peers as an outstanding scholar in his field. Among his students were two future African leaders. One was the future Ghanaian revolutionary, Kwame Nkrumah
. Nkrumah would later become the first prime minister and president of Ghana. The other was Nnamdi Azikiwe
, who studied anthropology
under him from 1928 to 1929 and wrote a eulogy for him. Azikize would become the first president of Nigeria. In 1961, then-Nigerian Governor-General Azikiwe thought Hansberry's work so important that he offered to underwrite the publication of his major work, The Rise and Decline of the Ethiopian Empire.
Although Hansberry's courses were very popular with students, two distinguished faculty members accused Hansberry of teaching subject matter without adequate research to support it. With the program and his job on the line, Hansberry presented the Board of Trustees with detailed documentation of his research. While he managed to save the African studies program, Hansberry's research funding was cut off and he would not receive tenure until 1938.
Despite the extensive research he conducted over his lifetime, Hansberry was very reluctant to have his work published. James Williams, one of his former students and later a Senior Professor of African History at Howard, recalled in 1972 that when his students urged publication of his work, Hansberry would smile, but always firmly reply, "I am not ready yet." Hansberry retired from Howard in June 1959.
He married Myrtle Kelso (September 24, 1908—May 1980) of Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi
, on June 22, 1937 in Chicago. She is the daughter of Wiley and Mamie Kelso. Two children were born to this union:
While visiting relatives in Chicago
, Hansberry died at Billings Hospital of a cerebral hemorrage on November 3, 1965. He had the same cause of death as his brother.
In 1972, he finally received recognition from the university that had snubbed him when Howard named a lecture hall in his honor.
William Leo Hansberry was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scholar and lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
. His was the older brother of real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
broker
Broker
A broker is a party that arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller, and gets a commission when the deal is executed. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal...
Carl Augustus Hansberry
Carl Augustus Hansberry
Carl Augustus Hansberry was an American real estate broker, inventor and political activist. He was also the father of award-winning playwright Lorraine Hansberry and the great-grandfather of actress Taye Hansberry....
, uncle of award-winning playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry
Lorraine Hansberry was an African American playwright and author of political speeches, letters, and essays...
and great-granduncle of actress Taye Hansberry.
Biography
Hansberry was born on February 25, 1894 in Gloster, Amite County, MississippiGloster, Mississippi
Gloster is a town in Amite County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,073 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McComb, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area.T. T...
. He was the son of Elden Hayes and Pauline (Bailey) Hansberry. His father taught history at Alcorn A&M
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University is an historically black university comprehensive land-grant institution in Lorman, Mississippi. It was founded in 1871-History:...
in Lorman, Mississippi
Lorman, Mississippi
Lorman is an unincorporated community in Jefferson County, Mississippi, United States. It is home to Alcorn State University, which was attended by Medgar Evers and Steve McNair ....
, but died when the younger Hansberry was only three years old. He and his younger brother, Carl Augustus Hansberry
Carl Augustus Hansberry
Carl Augustus Hansberry was an American real estate broker, inventor and political activist. He was also the father of award-winning playwright Lorraine Hansberry and the great-grandfather of actress Taye Hansberry....
, where raised by their stepfather, Elijah Washington.
In 1915, he attended Atlanta University, where he was exposed to a new volume of essays on race (published by the university's Sociology Department), which served as a major influence on him. Another big influence was the book, "The Negro" by W. E. B. Du Bois. After, he purchased a copy of the book, he rushed to the school's library to refer to the references cited in the volume. To his dismay, Hansberry discovered Atlanta University's reference library to be sorely lacking. As a result, he left Atlanta University two weeks into his sophomore year to transfer to the best-equipped university he could find that would admit blacks. As a result, he began studies at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in February 1917. where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1921.
Upon his graduation from Harvard, Hansberry taught for a year at Straight College
Dillard University
Dillard University is a private, historically black liberal arts college in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1930 incorporating earlier institutions that went back to 1869, it is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church....
(now Dillard University
Dillard University
Dillard University is a private, historically black liberal arts college in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1930 incorporating earlier institutions that went back to 1869, it is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church....
) in New Orleans. In September 1922, Hansberry joined the faculty of Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
where he started the African Civilization Section of the History Department.
Hansberry received his Masters from Harvard in 1932. Additional post-graduate work was done at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, Oxford University and Cairo University
Cairo University
Cairo University is a public university located in Giza, Egypt.The university was founded on December 21, 1908, as the result of an effort to establish a national center for educational thought...
. His knowledge of African studies was so vast that he was unable to obtain a Ph.D. because there was no school with faculty members qualified to supervise his dissertation.
As a professor at Howard, Hansberry taught courses on African civilizations and cultures. By the mid-1930s, he was internationally recognized by his peers as an outstanding scholar in his field. Among his students were two future African leaders. One was the future Ghanaian revolutionary, Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah
Kwame Nkrumah was the leader of Ghana and its predecessor state, the Gold Coast, from 1952 to 1966. Overseeing the nation's independence from British colonial rule in 1957, Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana and the first Prime Minister of Ghana...
. Nkrumah would later become the first prime minister and president of Ghana. The other was Nnamdi Azikiwe
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe , usually referred to as Nnamdi Azikiwe and popularly known as "Zik", was one of the leading figures of modern Nigerian nationalism who became the first President of Nigeria after Nigeria secured its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 October 1960; holding the...
, who studied anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
under him from 1928 to 1929 and wrote a eulogy for him. Azikize would become the first president of Nigeria. In 1961, then-Nigerian Governor-General Azikiwe thought Hansberry's work so important that he offered to underwrite the publication of his major work, The Rise and Decline of the Ethiopian Empire.
Although Hansberry's courses were very popular with students, two distinguished faculty members accused Hansberry of teaching subject matter without adequate research to support it. With the program and his job on the line, Hansberry presented the Board of Trustees with detailed documentation of his research. While he managed to save the African studies program, Hansberry's research funding was cut off and he would not receive tenure until 1938.
Despite the extensive research he conducted over his lifetime, Hansberry was very reluctant to have his work published. James Williams, one of his former students and later a Senior Professor of African History at Howard, recalled in 1972 that when his students urged publication of his work, Hansberry would smile, but always firmly reply, "I am not ready yet." Hansberry retired from Howard in June 1959.
He married Myrtle Kelso (September 24, 1908—May 1980) of Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi
Meridian, Mississippi
Meridian is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is the sixth largest city in the state and the principal city of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area...
, on June 22, 1937 in Chicago. She is the daughter of Wiley and Mamie Kelso. Two children were born to this union:
- Gail Adelle Hansberry
- Myrtle Kay Hansberry
While visiting relatives in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Hansberry died at Billings Hospital of a cerebral hemorrage on November 3, 1965. He had the same cause of death as his brother.
In 1972, he finally received recognition from the university that had snubbed him when Howard named a lecture hall in his honor.
William Leo Hansberry was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity.
External links
- Biographical Profile of William Leo Hansberry at Africawithin.com
- William Leo Hansberry: Pioneer Africanist Scholar (1894-1965) by Runoko Rashidi at the The Global African Presence
- William Leo Hansberry, Teacher: As Seen by a Former Student by Chancellor James Williams and the The Global African Presence This piece was originally published as part of "A Tribute to the Memory of Professor William Leo Hansberry" (Washington, DC: Howard University Department of History, 1972: pp. 17–18).
- Biography at the Mississippi Writers Page