W.E.B. Du Bois - by Brian L Johnson (Hardcover)

About the Book

Brian L. Johnson's remarkable biography of W.E.B. Du Bois describes the evolution of religious views from Du Bois's birth until his resignation as editor of Crisis magazine in 1934. W.E.B. Du Bois, Towards Agnosticism (1868-1934) traces Du Bois' mounting skepticism through his...

Book Synopsis

Brian L. Johnson's remarkable biography of W.E.B. Du Bois describes the evolution of religious views from Du Bois's birth until his resignation as editor of Crisis magazine in 1934. W.E.B. Du Bois, Towards Agnosticism (1868-1934) traces Du Bois' mounting skepticism through his earliest church experiences to his sociological training in Berlin culminating with his writings in Crisis Magazine. Johnson argues that despite Du Bois' frequent use of Protestant religious rhetoric, the mature Du Bois was a critic of African American religious organizations and their leaders, and a scientifically oriented agnostic who did not adhere to any religious orthodoxy.

Review Quotes

In W.E.B. Du Bois: Toward Agnosticism, Johnson maintains that Du Bois scholars have avoided examining the role of agnosticism in Du Bois' life....Johnson uses many excellent quotations and excerpts from Du Bois' writings to demonstrate Du Bois' agnosticism....this book is a fine introduction to a side of Du Bois that, in Johnson's opinion has been "wholly avoided."

Johnson uses many excellent quotations and excerpts from Du Bois' writings to demonstrate Du Bois' agnosticism....This book is a fine introduction to a side of Du Bois that, in Johnson's opinion, has been 'wholly avoided.'

About the Author

Brian L. Johnson is chief of staff at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and associate professor of English in its Center for Integrated Studies.