James Robert Lincoln Diggs

James Robert Lincoln Diggs (November 7, 1866 – April 14, 1923) was an American civil rights leader, college president, pastor, and college football coach.

James Robert Lincoln Diggs
Diggs, c. 1910
Biographical details
Born(1866-11-07)November 7, 1866
Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S.
Died(1923-04-14)April 14, 1923
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Alma materBucknell (BA, 1898; MA, 1899)
Illinois Wesleyan (Ph.D., 1906)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1900–1901Virginia Union
Head coaching record
Overall3–3

Early life and studies

Diggs earned degrees from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. He became the first African American to receive a doctorate in sociology in the United States and the ninth overall to receive any doctorate.[1]

Wayland Seminary and Virginia Union

Diggs was a member of the Wayland Seminary faculty when it was merged with Virginia Union University in 1898. He served as the school's head football coach from 1900 to 1901.[2]

College presidencies

Diggs served as the president of several colleges, including Virginia University of Lynchburg (then known as Virginia Seminary) from 1906 to 1908 and Simmons College of Kentucky from 1908 to 1911. He help found the Niagara Movement.[3]

Pastorship

Diggs later became a Baptist pastor, leading congregations in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.[4]

Death

Diggs died on April 14, 1923, at his home in Baltimore.[5][6]

References
  1. "Founders' Convocation Honors First African-American Sociology Ph.D." Illinois Wesleyan University. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  2. "James Robert Lincoln Diggs". virginia.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  3. "James Robert Lincoln Diggs". virginia.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  4. The American Contractor, Volume 36. F. W. Dodge Corporation. 1915. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  5. "Diggs". The Sunday Star. Washington, D.C. April 15, 1923. p. 5, part 1. Retrieved January 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
  6. Koger, A. B. (April 28, 1923). "Dr. James R. L. Diggs Is Dead". Richmond Planet. Richmond, Virginia. p. 1. Retrieved January 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
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