Manning Marable, historian, civil rights activist, dead at 60

Manning Marable, a scholar, writer, lecturer, and civil rights activist who founded the Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University, died April 1 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City after a long illness. He was 60.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Marable earned his undergraduate degree at Earlham College in 1971, followed by a master's degree in American history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Marable taught at Cornell University, Fisk University, Colgate University, Ohio State University and the University of Colorado before coming to Columbia. Additionally, Dr. Marable for many years has been a columnist widely published in Black newspapers throughout the country.

Dr. Marable, who just-completed a biography of Malcolm X that was set for release April 4, wrote, lectured and was involved extensively in public affairs, largely about—but not limited to--African Americans.

“Dr. Marable's contributions to the struggle for freedom of African Americans will never be forgotten,” said NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “Dr. Marable brought one of the keenest intellects of our age to the contemporary conversation on race in America. As an academic he was never afraid to speak his mind, and as an activist his words carried the gravitas of a published author. His life was dedicated to the struggle, and he will be sorely missed.”

Dr. Marable, a self-described adherent supporter of Marxism, had devoted 10 years to the Malcolm X project.

He is survived by his wife, Leith Mullings, two stepchildren and three grandchildren. A memorial service is tentatively sent for May 27