Dr. John Hope Franklin, James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of History, prolific scholar, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and inspiration for the Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies that bears his name and houses the Duke University Center for International Studies, passed away on March 25, 2009.
John Hope Franklin is very properly celebrated for his seminal role in establishing once and for all time the important role of African-Americans in the history of the United States. Much less known is his interest in international affairs, one of his abiding intellectual concerns. Dr. Franklin was a public intellectual in this country, but he was also an international public figure. He travelled tirelessly as a cultural ambassador for the United States, taught overseas (most notably in Brazil), and had an abiding interest in other cultures and societies. Even as he explained the unvarnished complexities of race relations in the United States to skeptical audiences abroad, he was learning about the challenges facing other nations. Dr. Franklin brought to world affairs the same perspective that infused his work on the United States, namely that telling the whole truth would be the first step in freeing people to relate to one another as human beings.
Gilbert W. Merkx
Vice-Provost for International Affairs and Development
Director, Duke University Center for International Studies
For me, the Franklin Center is an aspiration. It represents our university’s pledge to follow Dr. Franklin in his life-long commitment to justice, equity and public scholarship. And when Dr. Franklin talked of these issues he meant for them to be global. I can only hope that as academics we will continue his quest for public scholarship at a time when it is most needed-and share that scholarship with our colleagues around the world.
I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Franklin as we designed and put into operation the Franklin Center. It was a unique time for me. He was the individual who continually reminded us that, as we were renovating a building, we were renovating university scholarship. We opened the building in 2001 with numerous programs that underscored our special role on the campus and in the community, and to broadening our campus and community to encompass the globe.
I will miss Dr. Franklin, but his life will continue to direct my commitment to the critical and complex role that we, as members of academe, play in understanding and demanding without reservation justice and social equity globally.
Rob Sikorski
Executive Director, Duke University Center for International Studies
former-Director of Operations, John Hope Franklin Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies (2000-2004)
To learn more about John Hope Franklin, his life’s work and accomplishments, please visit Duke’s memorial tribute website.
education, ethics, Franklin Center, Gilbert W. Merkx, human rights, international studies, John Hope Franklin
