William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, commonly known as W.E.B. Du Bois, was an eminent American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author, and editor. Born on February 23, 1868, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Du Bois grew to become one of the most significant intellectuals of the 20th century. He was the first African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University and was a professor of history, sociology, and economics at Atlanta University. Du Bois's extensive body of work addressed issues of racial discrimination, African American social and cultural identity, and colonialism. His seminal work, 'The Souls of Black Folk' (1903), is a cornerstone of African American literature, advancing the concept of 'double consciousness.' Du Bois was also a co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and edited its magazine, 'The Crisis.' In 'Du Bois: Selected Essays,' readers witness his brilliant and persistent critique of American society and his articulation of the struggle for racial equality. His incisive essays not only delve into the conditions of African Americans but also reflect his intellectual evolution and his advocacy for Pan-Africanism. Du Bois's literary style is characterized by its eloquence and its capacity to fuse scholarship with activism. He passed away on August 27, 1963, in Accra, Ghana, but left behind a legacy of profound impact on civil rights, social science, and the literature of resistance.