This dissertation examines the intellectual career of the early African American philosopher, Gilbert Haven Jones. Jones was the first African American scholar to receive a PhD in philosophy in Germany (University of Jena in 1909). In order to thoroughly analyze the life and work of Jones, this dissertation advocates a framework that combines a historical and philosophical methodology. My use of this framework is a response to the lack of historical considerations undertaken by contemporary African American philosophers. The dissertation examines Jones' works including an undergraduate essay written at Wilberforce University, his dissertation, and his published book, Education in Theory and Practice. Philosophically, I analyze Jones' work through the lens of personalism, as he was one of the first contributors to the field from both a mainstream and African American context. This project also, for the first time, contributes and analyzes the first English translation of Jones' doctoral dissertation.
Read
