Reactions to John Hope Franklin's death

"Because of the life John Hope Franklin lived, the public service he rendered, and the scholarship that was the mark of his distinguished career, we all have a richer understanding of who we are as Americans and our journey as a people. Dr. Franklin will be deeply missed, but his legacy is one that will surely endure. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones, as our nation mourns his loss."

— President Barack Obama

“John Hope Franklin was an iconic historian who achieved the pinnacle of success in his professional life and whose work will live on for many years to come. His distinguished career as a public servant and scholar are an inspiration to so many. Dr. Franklin shattered barriers that seem unimaginable in today’s world, and he did so with elegance and perseverance. North Carolina was fortunate to count this fine individual among its residents. Our nation lost one of the most brilliant minds of a generation in Dr. Franklin, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.”

— U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan

“John Hope Franklin was not only a historian, he was a history maker. John spent his life fighting injustice, promoting equality and fostering understanding across racial lines. His work in the field of promoting African-American history has forever changed the way our nation will look at our collective past.”

— U.S. Sen. Richard Burr

“Dr. Franklin’s scholarship, from St. Augustine’s and North Carolina College in the 1930s and '40s to his distinguished careers at Chicago and Duke, showed that African-American history is inseparable from any telling of the American story. We honor his tremendous contributions to American history, but his legacy is not only the study of the past. The greater understanding he fostered lights a path for present and future citizens to live together in a more unified nation. Lisa and I join North Carolina and the nation in grieving his loss. From his beloved orchids to his wise counsel, he shared his friendship generously and will be greatly missed.”

— Congressman David Price

“John Hope Franklin was a great educator, historian and humanitarian. He dedicated his entire life to trying to bring people together to make the world a better place."

— Congressman Bob Etheridge

“John Hope Franklin changed the way we look at our history. American history is not just the story of European settlers and their descendants. Franklin made sure that the story of American history included the contributions and experiences of all Americans.”

— Congressman Brad Miller

“John Hope Franklin’s lifetime of work was crucial to America coming to the understanding that history would be incomplete without African-Americans, and that America could only become whole by confronting the lingering ghosts of slavery and segregation.”

— Congressman G.K. Butterfield

“As a premiere historian, John Hope Franklin made immeasurable contributions by educating us on the integral role that Africans and African-Americans played in American history. As an activist, John Hope Franklin was an active mentor and educator of the leaders of the civil rights movement as well as an unapologetic advocate for full and equal citizenship. As a friend, he was a mentor and truly wonderful spirit and inspiration to me and my wife. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a monumental figure. But I am also consoled by the fact that he lived and used every minute of his life for the most outstanding, decent and noble purposes.”

— Congressman Mel Watt

“I am saddened by the death of Dr. John Hope Franklin, yet I know future generations will celebrate the accomplishments of his life. He was an American treasure."

— Congressman Larry Kissell

"Dr Franklin never relented in telling the whole truth about our journey from slavery to freedom, the ugliness of racism and social exclusion, the power of his people who not only endured but also fought against it and the promise of a new day. By always telling the truth to America and the world about history, he seared our conscience in such a way that constantly made it uncomfortable to accept the status quo. He reminded us that we must do more than merely apologize for the pain of the past but we must make amends that are tangible and rooted in a commitment to change."

— North Carolina NAACP President William Barber

“John Hope Franklin lived for nearly a century and helped define that century. A towering historian, he led the recognition that African-American history and American history are one. With his grasp of the past, he spent a lifetime building a future of inclusiveness, fairness and equality. Duke has lost a great citizen and a great friend.”

— Duke University President Richard Brodhead

“Dr. John Hope Franklin was an integral part of North Carolina Central University, having been hired personally by our founder, Dr. James E. Shepard. I cannot think of anyone whose scholarly work and passion has enlightened America with more impact on issues related to equity, excellence and diversity. The legacy he leaves is immeasurable.”

— N.C. Central Chancellor Charlie Nelms

“John Hope Franklin was a tremendous leader, historian and friend to North Carolina and to the nation. He personified giving and his work to advance the understanding of African-American contributions was unmatched by any other. He will be sadly missed.”

— Gov. Beverly Perdue

“With the passing of John Hope Franklin, North Carolina has lost a great scholar and a moral compass for all of us. He inspired with his words and with his teaching, and he set an unsurpassed example of courage, leadership and commitment. From John Hope Franklin, we learned about history, but we also learned the way to chart a new path of justice and opportunity for our state and our nation.”

— Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton

"Dr. Franklin was a worldwide figure, a seminal author and a man of immeasurable insight. We were privileged in North Carolina for so long to have near immediate access to such a rich mind. We will all miss his lessons and we mourn for his loss.”

— House Speaker Joe Hackney

“Saint Augustine’s College mourns the loss of a phenomenal man, John Hope Franklin, who graced this campus with his presence, his scholarly contributions, and most of all, his wisdom. He will be greatly missed, but forever remembered as a major contributor to the dignity of humanity.”

— St. Augustine's College President Dianne Boardley Suber