Alain Locke

A prominent African American philosopher, he has been
hailed by many as the “Father of the Harlem Renaissance.” In
1907, he became the first African American Rhodes Scholar.
He is also believed to be the first gay Rhodes Scholar, though
he only confided this information to
friends. Locke went on to teach in the
philosophy department at Howard
University for over four decades.
He is also known as one of
the early founders of cultural
pluralism, which is currently
referred to as multiculturalism,
and was a trusted advisor to
scores of African American
artists and writers. Thanks
to the efforts and donations
of African American Rhodes
Scholars, Locke’s remains were
interred at Congressional Cemetery on
September 13, 2014, sixty years after his death.