An African American, Woodson devoted his life to bringing the achievements of black people to the world's attention. The association began publishing The Journal of Negro History, a scholarly magazine, in 1916.
Many scholars consider it one of the finest full-length works on black history.
Woodson was born in New Canton, Virginia. His parents were former slaves. Woodson received a Ph.D. degree in history from Harvard University. He won the Spingarn Medal in 1926. LL.D., Professor Emeritus of History, Univ. of North Carolina, Greensboro.