Dr. John Hope

John Hope (1868-1936) was an influential African American educator and civil rights leader who served as the first Black president of Morehouse College.  Hope was born in Augusta, Georgia to a Scottish-born father and a free African American mother.  Hope left school after the eighth grade to help his family. He later returned to Brown University, graduating in 1894. 

Hope taught at Roger Williams University and Atlanta Baptist College (later named Morehouse College) before becoming the school's first Black president in 1906. In 1929, he became the first Black president of Atlanta University, which later became Clark Atlanta University. 

Hope was a strong advocate for civil rights, public education, and equal access to housing, healthcare, jobs, and recreational facilities. He was a founder of the Niagara Movement, a forerunner to the NAACP. He also served as the first president of the Commission on Interracial Cooperation, which he organized with W.W. Alexander.  Hope served as a YMCA secretary with Black American soldiers in France during World War I.  Hope was a pioneer in developing graduate and professional programs for Black people. He died in Atlanta in 1936.

SIAC HALL OF FAME - 1993