author
W. S. (William Sanders) Scarborough
1852–1926
Born into slavery and later recognized as the first professional classicist of African descent in the United States, this scholar built a remarkable life in Greek, Latin, and higher education. His story connects intellectual achievement with the long struggle for Black education and civil rights.
1 Audiobook
The educated Negro and his mission
by W. S. (William Sanders) Scarborough
About the author
William Sanders Scarborough was an American classical scholar, educator, and college leader who was born in Macon, Georgia, on February 16, 1852, and died on September 9, 1926. He is widely described as the first African American classical scholar, and his life is often remembered as an extraordinary journey from slavery to national academic distinction.
After studying at Atlanta University and Oberlin College, he joined Wilberforce University, where he taught Latin and Greek and later served as president from 1908 to 1920. He also wrote First Lessons in Greek, a textbook that was used in the late 19th century and helped establish his reputation as a serious scholar of the classics.
Scarborough was respected not only for his scholarship but also for his public leadership. He spoke out against racial injustice, took part in Black civic and political life, and remained committed to education as a path to dignity and progress. His autobiography, published long after his death, has helped modern readers see both his personal determination and the barriers he overcame.