TERRE HAUTE — Martin Jenkins, who has been called a “forgotten pioneer” in the study of intellectually gifted black Americans, was born and raised in Terre Haute, where he was an outstanding scholar and athlete at Wiley High School.
The only child of David and Josephine Jenkins, Martin David Jenkins was born on South Ninth Street in 1904. His father was a civil engineer, a position that placed the Jenkins family among “approximately 10 middle-class African-American families living in Terre Haute at that time,” according to a 1993 article in the Roeper Review.
Jenkins attended Booker T. Washington School before going to Wiley in 1917. There, he ran track, excelling in the 50-, 100- and 220-yard dashes. Jenkins graduated in 1921.
After earning his bachelor’s degree at Howard University in engineering, Jenkins returned to Terre Haute and pursued a degree in education from Indiana State Teachers College. He married Elizabeth Lacy in 1927.
For a short time, Jenkins became an instructor of education at Virginia State College in the early 1930s.
Jenkins began graduate studies at Northwestern University in 1932, obtaining a master’s degree and doctorate, both in education.
His dissertation, “A Socio-Psychological Study of Negro Children of Superior Intelligence” in 1935 was the first of several studies he completed that examined a group of highly gifted children.
“Contrary to prevailing views, Jenkins’ study provided cogent evidence that superior African-American children were not a rare breed, but rather, like all other gifted children, were difficult to identify if their gifts had not been cultivated,” according to the Roeper article.
After completing his doctorate, Jenkins taught education at North Carolina A&T; College.
Later, Jenkins became dean of instruction at Cheyney State Teachers College in Pennsylvania, before returning to Howard University in 1938. He was a professor of education there for 10 years.
Jenkins continued to study black children of superior intelligence until he became president of Morgan State College in Baltimore in 1948. Unable to continue his research, Jenkins often addressed issues regarding the gifted at various academic conventions.
In 1970, Jenkins retired from Morgan State. He was 66. He became director of the Office of Urban Affairs for the American Council of Education until shortly before he died in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 1978.
Throughout his life, Jenkins received, among other honors, the Andrew White Medal from Loyola College in Maryland, the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal from the U.S. Department of Army and honorary doctorates from seven universities, including Indiana State University in 1969, according to historian Mike McCormick.
The Martin David Jenkins Behavioral Science Center at Morgan State University was dedicated in his honor in 1974.
Deb McKee can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or deb.mckee@tribstar.com.
Black History Month
February 17, 2007
Black History Month: Jenkins, scholar-athlete at Wiley, became Morgan State University president
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Black History Month: Carter Goodwin Woodson 'Father of Black History'
Carter Goodwin Woodson, a black author, editor, publisher and historian, was born in December 1875 and lived until April 1950. Woodson believed that African-Americans should know about their past in order to cooperate intelligently in the affairs of our country. Strongly he believed that African-American history is a firm foundation for young Black Americans.
He is known as the “Father of Black History” and held an important position in black history in early 20th century American history. - Correction March 16, 2007 The Tribune-Star corrects errors. If you believe we have made an error, contact Editor Max Jones at (812) 231-4336 or e-mail him at max.jones@tribstar.com.
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