Miller, Kelly (1863–1939)

US civil rights activist and educator. One of the major African-American spokespersons and teachers of the early 20th century, he was considered a voice of reason and moderation in the struggle for equal rights. He graduated from Howard University in 1886, and after studying science at Johns Hopkins University, returned to teach at Howard (1890–1934). He earned a law degree in 1903. For most of his career at Howard he chaired the sociology department; he was also dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and held other posts.

The son of a slave mother and a free black father, Miller was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina. He assisted W E B DuBois in editing the journal, Crisis, and he wrote many essays and several books, including Out of the House of Bondage (1917), emphasizing the progress African-Americans had made since emancipation and the role of education in attaining full equality.