James Herman Robinson

James Herman Robinson
Born(1907-01-24)January 24, 1907
Knoxville, Tennessee, US
DiedNovember 6, 1972(1972-11-06) (aged 65)
New York City
Alma materLincoln University
Union Theological Seminary
Occupation(s)Clergyman, humanitarian
Spouse(s)Helen Brodie (1938-1954, divorce)[1]
Gertrude Thomas (1957-1972, his death)[1]
Parent(s)Henry and Willie Belle Robinson

James Herman Robinson (January 24, 1907 – November 6, 1972) was an African-American clergyman and humanitarian, best known as the founder of Operation Crossroads Africa (OCA), a cross-cultural exchange program considered a forerunner of the Peace Corps.[2] Robinson served on the Corps' first National Advisory Council, and advised the U.S. State Department on African affairs. He also organized Harlem's Morningside Community Center, cofounded the African Academy of Arts and Research, and advocated independence for African nations.[1][3]

  1. ^ a b c James Albins, "James Herman Robinson - Historical Note Archived 2013-09-28 at the Wayback Machine, Amistad Research Center website. Retrieved: 23 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Operation Crossroads Africa and the "Progenitors of the Peace Corps"". NPCA. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  3. ^ Robert T. Grimm, Jr., Notable American Philanthropists: Biographies of Giving and Volunteering (Greenwood Publishing, 2002), pp. 252-255.