Dr. John Hope Franklin, the first chair holder in 2007 is a celebrated historian of American history and the African American experience. He was born in 1915, just 50 years after the abolition of slavery. He learned the power of words, ideas and the value of hard work from his father, who practiced law and his mother, an elementary school teacher. Dr. Franklin is world renown for his published masterpiece, From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans. He served on the team that developed the 1954 Supreme Court decision ending the legal segregation of black and white children in public schools. Dr. Franklin has lectured all over the world, fostering political and social change.
In the News
02/12/2007. Prominent historian John Hope Franklin named first Dan and Maggie Inouye Distinguished Chair in Democratic Ideals at UH Mānoa (UH)
02/14/2007. Historian named first Inouye chair (Star Bulletin)
02/14/2007. Historian earns Inouye honor (Honolulu Advertiser)
03/14/2007. Celebrated Historian John Hope Franklin to present public lecture on current foreign and domestic policies (UH)
