Alain LockeAlain LeRoy Locke (1885-1954) was a writer and philosopher who helped champion the Harlem Renaissance and a generation of black writers. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Locke would go on to study at Harvard University where he earned a doctorate n philosophy. He was the first African American ever to achieve the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He taught at Howard where he served as chair of the philosophy department. Read More Read Less