James Robert Lincoln Diggs
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Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S.
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Illinois Wesleyan (Ph.D., 1906)
 Diggs, c. 1910 | |
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 7, 1866 Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | April 14, 1923 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Bucknell (BA, 1898; MA, 1899) Illinois Wesleyan (Ph.D., 1906) |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1900–1901 | Virginia Union |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 3–3 |
James Robert Lincoln Diggs (November 7, 1866 – April 14, 1923) was an American civil rights leader, college president, pastor, and college football coach.
Diggs earned degrees from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. He became the first African American to receive a doctorate in sociology in the United States and the ninth overall to receive any doctorate.[1]
Wayland Seminary and Virginia Union
Diggs was a member of the Wayland Seminary faculty when it was merged with Virginia Union University in 1898. He served as the school's head football coach from 1900 to 1901.[2]
College presidencies
Diggs served as the president of several colleges, including Virginia University of Lynchburg (then known as Virginia Seminary) from 1906 to 1908 and Simmons College of Kentucky from 1908 to 1911. He help found the Niagara Movement.[3]
Pastorship
Diggs later became a Baptist pastor, leading congregations in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.[4]
