Tulsa - Noted historian and Oklahoma native John Hope Franklin has died.

Dr. Franklin was 94 years old. He was born in 1915 in Rentiesville, about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa in McIntosh County. He later moved to Tulsa and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School.

An author and editor of 17 books, including best-seller From Slavery to Freedom, Franklin received honorary degrees from more than 130 colleges and universities.

He was professor of legal history at Duke University School of Law and was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom for academic achievements and his interventions with American racism.

Franklin was part of the team of scholars who assisted Thurgood Marshall to win Brown v. Board of Education, the 1954 case that outlawed the "separate but equal" doctrine in the nation's public schools.

He was appointed chair of the President's Initiative on Race in 1997 by President Clinton.

Late last year, city leaders in Tulsa broke ground on the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, a memorial for the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. It's located near Archer and Elgin.

"It's important to remember the past, whatever it was," Franklin told NewsChannel 8 at November's groundbreaking.

Franklin has shared his life story without bitterness, advising presidents and teaching at the finest universities.

"You have no reason to be bitter," he said. "Just keep on keeping on where you are and you will come out far ahead of the game."

The park is expected to be completed by May.

"America has lost a true statesman," Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor said Wednesday. "Dr. Franklin will forever be remembered for his words and his works. He also inspires us to find our own words of courage as we work to build a better community for the next generation of Americans. We are grateful we were able to honor his work during his lifetime by the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park."

 Email To Friend