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Richard Claxton “Dick” Gregory overcame poverty to find early success in athletics and entertainment. He was born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, began using comedy to relate to others, and worked odd jobs as a child to help support his family. In high school he won the state championship for the mile run in 1951 and 1952, and he received an athletic scholarship to Southern Illinois University, where he was named Outstanding Athlete in 1953. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954, won a talent show, and transferred to the Special Services entertainment division. After his discharge in 1956, Gregory performed in Chicago, where he met and married Lillian Smith. They eventually became the parents of ten children. His first success was at the Chicago Playboy Club in 1961, but his activism hindered his entertainment career. Gregory also became politically active, running for mayor of Chicago in 1967 and for president in 1968 as a candidate of the U.S. Freedom and Peace party. He lectured widely, wrote several books, began advocating healthier lifestyles via his dieting, fasting, nutrition programs and products, and stopped performing in venues that allowed smoking and alcohol use. Respected as an elder statesman of the Civil Rights Movement, Gregory has received numerous awards and honorary doctorates in recognition of his service to humanity.

Dick Gregory (Fisk University).

Fletcher F. Moon