Dr. Yosef Alfredo Antonio Ben-Jochannan | |
|---|---|
 Dr. Ben-Jochannan lecturing on Kemetology | |
| Born | December 31, 1918 |
| Died | March 19, 2015 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Burial place | Ferncliff Cemetery, Ardsley, N.Y. |
| Occupation(s) | Historian, Kemetologist, Author |
| Known for | African-centered historical research |
| Academic work | |
| Notable works | Black Man of the Nile and His Family Africa: Mother of Western Civilization |
Dr. Yosef Alfredo Antonio Ben-Jochannan (December 31, 1918 – March 19, 2015), affectionately known as "Dr. Ben," was a pioneering African-centered scholar who revolutionized the study of ancient Nile Valley civilizations. His groundbreaking work in Kemetology (the study of ancient Kemet/Egypt as an African civilization) challenged dominant Eurocentric narratives and established new frameworks for understanding African contributions to world history.
Early Life and Education
Born in Gondar, Ethiopia to an Ethiopian Jewish father and Puerto Rican Jewish mother, Dr. Ben's multicultural background informed his pan-African perspective. While his formal education credentials remain debated, he amassed an extraordinary personal library of 35,000 volumes that formed the foundation of his scholarship. This collection enabled his meticulous research into primary sources about ancient African civilizations that were often overlooked by mainstream academia.
Academic Career
Dr. Ben joined the faculty of Cornell University's Africana Studies and Research Center in 1973, where he taught until 1987. His dynamic lectures attracted students from across disciplines, blending rigorous historical analysis with passionate advocacy for African self-knowledge. He also held teaching positions at Rutgers University and conducted research at Al Azhar University in Cairo.
In 1984, Dr. Ben co-founded the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations (ASCAC) alongside scholars like Dr. John Henrik Clarke and Dr. Jacob Carruthers. This organization became a vital institution for developing African-centered methodologies in historical research.
Final Days and Funeral Services
Dr. Ben made his transition on March 19, 2015 at 3:30 a.m., surrounded by family at Bay Park Nursing Home in the Bronx at age 96. His home-going services, held April 9-10 at Harlem's historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, drew mourners from across the African Diaspora. Professor James Small of the Organization of Afro-American Unity reflected: "We celebrate the life of one of our greatest ancestors, the man who almost singlehandedly took Egypt from white intellectuals and white academia and gave it back to its rightful owners, the African people of the world."
The services included:
- A wake on April 9 (4-8 PM) at Abyssinian Baptist Church
- A traditional duat funeral service on April 10 (9:30 AM-12:30 PM)
- Burial at Ferncliff Cemetery in Ardsley, N.Y.
- Repast at the National Black Theater in Harlem
Tributes poured in globally, with Delinda Wills Thomas remembering: "Dr. Ben, Black Man of the Nile...my first teacher of TRUTHS of our people...History is delicious food to my mind, music to my ear and I have Dr. Ben to thank for that."
Contributions to Kemetology
Dr. Ben's scholarship focused on restoring African agency in historical narratives, particularly regarding ancient Kemet. His research demonstrated that: - The ancient Kemetic civilization was fundamentally African in origin and character - Early Greek philosophers like Thales and Pythagoras studied in Kemet and acknowledged their intellectual debt to Kemetic priests - Major world religions contain theological and ritual elements derived from Kemetic spirituality
Through his popular Alkebu-Lan Educational Tours, Dr. Ben brought hundreds of students and community members to historical sites in the Nile Valley, creating transformative firsthand learning experiences about Africa's classical civilizations.
Published Works
Dr. Ben authored 49 books that have become foundational texts in African studies. His most influential works include:
- Black Man of the Nile and His Family (1972), which traces African cultural continuity from antiquity to the present
- Africa: Mother of Western Civilization (1971), documenting Africa's contributions to global development
- African Origins of the Major Western Religions, examining the African roots of Judeo-Christian traditions
- We the Black Jews, exploring connections between African and Jewish histories
Legacy and Influence
Dr. Ben's work inspired generations of scholars including Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Amos Wilson, and Professor Ashra Kwesi. His research methods combined traditional academic rigor with community-engaged scholarship, making African history accessible beyond university walls.
Despite criticism from establishment academics, Dr. Ben remained committed to what he called "the rescue, reconstruction, and restoration of African history." The Amsterdam News, which covered his passing extensively, noted how his funeral services reflected the profound impact he had on racial justice scholarship and pan-African consciousness.
