Henderson, Edwin Bancroft, 1883-1977

African American athlete, educator, author, and administrator; d. 1977.

From the description of Papers, 1915-1976. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 70941156

• 1883 November 24: Born in Washington, D.C., son of William and Louise (Mars) Henderson.
• 1904: Graduated from Normal School #2, Washington, D.C.
• 1904 - 1907 : Attended Harvard University Summer School of Physical Training.
• 1904 - 1925 : Taught physical education and health in the D.C. public schools, being the first certified Black male physical educator in the American school system.
• 1905: Took courses at Howard University Medical School.
• 1908: Organized the Negro Athletic Conference, Inter-scholastic Athletic Association (I.S.A.A.).
• 1910: Organized the Public School Athletic League in the Black school division of D.C. and helped organized the Colored Inter-Collegiate Athletic Association and the North Carolina Inter- Collegiate Athletic Association.
• 1910 December: Married Mary Ellen Meriwether (children: James H. M. and Edwin M.)
• 1911 - 13 : President of the Black Public School Athletic League.
• 1912: Co-founder of the Eastern Board of Officials
• 1915: Organized the Falls Church and Vicinity Branch of the NAACP
• 1923 - 33 : Served as President of the Eastern Board of Officials (for athletic activities).
• 1923 - 51 : Chairmen of the High School Games Committee for the Black schools of D.C.
• 1925 - 54 : Director of the D.C. Public Schools Department of Health, Physical Education and Safety for the Black Schools.
• 1930: Received an A. B. degree in , Howard University
• 1934: Received an A.M. degree, Teacher's College, Columbia University.
• 1937: Co-founder of the Washington Pigskin Club.
• 1940 - 60 : Chairmen of the Board of Directors, NAACP.
• 1945: Founder and first president of the D.C. Branch of the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
• 1948 - 50 : Chairmen of the Management Committee of the 12th Street YMCA, Washington, D.C.
• 1974 February 5: Inducted into the Black Sports Hall of Fame
• 1977 February 3: Died in Tuskegee, AL.

As an athlete, educator, author, and administrator, Henderson helped to advance the field of athletics particularly in his efforts against segregation and discrimination in recreation and sports. A vigorous advocate of civil rights, Henderson wrote numerous letters to the editor of various newspapers, as well as publishing articles and working with civil rights organizations.

From the guide to the E.B. Henderson Papers, 1915-1976, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)