Skip to content

Biography · Civil Rights & Community

Roy Wilkins

1901–1981

United States

Source image for Roy WilkinsLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

Roy Ottoway Wilkins (August 30, 1901 – September 8, 1981) was an American civil rights leader from the 1930s to the 1970s. Wilkins's most notable role was his leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), in which he held the title of Executive Secretary from 1955 to 1963 and Executive Director from 1964 to 1977. Wilkins was a central figure in many notable marches of the civil rights movement and made contributions to African-American literature.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Continue exploring Series 1

Arts, Music & Culture →Civil Rights & Public Life →Everyday Life & Community →

Explore all Series 1 cards →