Bayard Rustin

17 March 1912 – 24 August 1987

Bayard Rustin was an American civil rights activist and strategist who was a leading advocate of nonviolent resistance. He was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and a close adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. An openly gay man, he often worked behind the scenes due to prejudice, and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

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Life events

Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania
17 March 1912

Born Bayard Rustin and raised by his Quaker grandparents.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Joined the Fellowship of Reconciliation
1941

Became a field organizer for the pacifist Fellowship of Reconciliation.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Imprisoned as a conscientious objector
1944 – 1946

Jailed for refusing to serve in World War II on pacifist grounds.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Participated in the Journey of Reconciliation
1947

Took part in an early Freedom Ride testing desegregation of interstate bus travel.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Advised Martin Luther King Jr.
1956

Counseled King on the principles of Gandhian nonviolence during the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Organized the March on Washington
28 August 1963

Served as chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded the A. Philip Randolph Institute
1965

Led the institute promoting the alliance of the labor and civil rights movements.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in New York City
24 August 1987

Died of a perforated appendix in Manhattan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓