death_place death_date religion birth_place parents birth_date spouse article_title name occupation alma_mater
new york city 06 november 1972 presbyterian knoxville , tennessee , us henry and willie belle robinson 24 january 1907 helen -lrb- 1957-1972 , his death -rrb- brodie -lrb- 1938-1954 , divorce -rrb- gertrude thomas james herman robinson
 james herman robinson clergyman , humanitarian lincoln university union theological seminary
james herman robinson

james herman robinson -lrb- january 24 , 1907 -- november 6 , 1972 -rrb- was an american clergyman and humanitarian , best known as the founder of operation crossroads africa -lrb- oca -rrb- , a cross-cultural exchange program considered a forerunner of the peace corps .
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 .
