W. E. B. Du Bois William Edward Burghardt `` W. E. B. '' Du Bois ( pronounced ; February 23 , 1868 -- August 27 , 1963 ) was an American sociologist , historian , civil rights activist , Pan-Africanist , author and editor .
W. E. B. Du Bois William Edward Burghardt `` W. E. B. '' Du Bois ( February 23 , 1868 -- August 27 , 1963 ) was an American-Ghanaian sociologist , historian , civil rights activist , Pan-Africanist , author , and editor .