Taylor marie mccormick biography of martin luther

Martin Luther King, Jr. was not seeking to lead the social justice movement in 1950s, but when the young preacher was urged to speak in Montgomery during the bus boycott, he did. And for more than a decade, he continued to answer the call of his conscience, condemning the brutal and systemic racism waged against not only Black Americans in the South, but other oppressed people around the world, as well.

“It was not an easy life, but it was one that King felt called to lead," said biographer Jonathan Eig.

“He could have quit at any time but over and over again, he doubles down, says ‘I’m in this now, and this is what God commands me to do.’” Eig was at UVA Batten recently to accept the 2024 Edwards Book Award for his new biography, “King: A Life,” given by the Rodel Institute in recognition of work that contributes to the understanding and practice of democracy and American politics.

The book also won the Pulitzer Prize this year.

“I knew this would be the most important thing I