Alain LeRoy Locke (September 13, 1885 – June 9, 1954) was an
American writer, philosopher, educator, and patron of the arts.
He is best known for his writings on and about the Harlem
Renaissance. He is unofficially called the "Father of the Harlem
Renaissance." His philosophy served as a strong motivating force
in keeping the energy and passion of the Movement at the
forefront. Alain Locke was born in Pennsylvania on September 13,
1886 to Pliny Ishmael Locke (1850-1892) and Mary Hawkins Locke
(1853 - 1922). In 1902, he graduated from Central High School in
Philadelphia, second in his class. He also attended Philadelphia
School of Pedagogy. In 1907, Locke graduated from Harvard
University with degrees in English and philosophy. He was the
first African American Rhodes Scholar. He formed part of the Phi
Beta Kappa society. Locke was denied admission to several Oxford
colleges because of his skin color before finally being admitted
to Hertford College, where he studied literature, philosophy,
Greek, and Latin, f