Who Is Adam Clayton Powell Jr.? Age, Biography and Wiki
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was born on November 29, 1908, and passed away on April 4, 1972, at the age of 63. He was a prominent American pastor, civil rights leader, and politician, known for his dynamic role in championing social justice and advocating for African American rights during the mid-20th century. Powell was the first African American to be elected to Congress from New York, representing Harlem in the House of Representatives from 1945 to 1971. His legacy continues to influence contemporary discussions on race, politics, and reform in America even as we reach 2025.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1908 |
| Age | 63 Years |
| Birth Place | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 4 April, 1972 |
| Died Place | Miami, Florida, U.S. |
Popularity
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
- Height: Adam Clayton Powell Jr. stood at an impressive 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm).
- Weight: During his prime, Powell's weight fluctuated around 190 pounds (86 kg).
- Measurements: While specific body measurements are not well-documented, Powell's commanding presence complemented his public speaking and leadership roles.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was notably married twice. His first wife was Isabel Washington, a talented singer and dancer. The couple had one son, Adam Clayton Powell III, who has continued his father's legacy as a prominent media personality. After his marriage with Isabel, he wed Annabella Powell, but the union also ended in divorce. Throughout his life, Powell maintained relationships that often reflected his charismatic and passionate personality but never solidified into long-term romances reported after his second marriage.
and Mattie Buster Shaffer, born poor in Virginia and West Virginia, respectively. His sister, Blanche, was 10 years older. His parents were of mixed race with African and European ancestry (and, according to his father, American Indian on his mother's side).
(In his autobiography Adam by Adam, Powell says that his mother had partial German ancestry.) They and their ancestors were classified as mulatto in 19th-century censuses. Powell's paternal grandmother's ancestors had been free persons of color for generations before the Civil War. By 1908, Powell Sr.
had become a prominent Baptist minister, serving as a pastor in Philadelphia, and as lead pastor at a Baptist church in New Haven.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Adam Clayton Powell Jr.'s net worth at the time of his passing is estimated at around $1 million—a considerable sum due to his congressional salary and prior investments. His earnings primarily came from his political career, books, and speaking engagements. Adjusted for inflation, this legacy still resonates today, as discussions of his financial impact and how it reflects the socio-economic realities of African American leaders continue.
Powell also paid attention to the issues of developing nations in Africa and Asia, making trips overseas. He urged presidential policymakers to pay attention to nations seeking independence from colonial powers and support aid to them. During the Cold War, many of them sought neutrality between the United States and the Soviet Union.
He made speeches on the House Floor to celebrate the anniversaries of the independence of nations such as Ghana, Indonesia, and Sierra Leone.
Career, Business and Investments
Powell majored in sociology and theology at City College of New York and went on to lead the Abyssinian Baptist Church, significantly expanding its influence. His career in politics began in the late 1930s when he became involved in local politics in Harlem. His most significant achievements include:
- Establishing the Founding of the Conscience of the Senate
- Securing funding for civil rights initiatives.
- Advocating for the rights of marginalized communities in America.
In 1961, after 16 years in the House, Powell became chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, the most powerful position held by an African American in Congress to that date. As chairman, he supported the passage of important social and civil rights legislation under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Following allegations of corruption, in 1967 Powell was excluded from his seat by Democratic Representatives-elect of the 90th United States Congress, but he was re-elected and regained the seat in the 1969 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States in Powell v. McCormack.
He lost his seat in 1970 to Charles Rangel and retired from electoral politics.
Social Network
Though Adam Clayton Powell Jr. has been deceased for decades, his contributions continue to resonate on social media platforms. His work is often discussed by influencers and civil rights advocates on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, where his quotes and philosophies inspire new generations. Moreover, institutions related to his legacy often share insights about his life, sustaining his connection to civil rights movements.
Jeffrey Wright portrayed Powell in the 2023 Netflix film Rustin. As the story unfolds, the Powell character slowly comes around to a more positive view of the controversial Bayard Rustin character, who is portrayed as a Powell foe as the March on Washington is created.
Education
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. was a well-educated man. He graduated from City College of New York with a bachelor's degree in social science. His education played a key role in shaping his approach to civil rights and political leadership, exhibiting the importance he placed on education throughout his life. He continued to be an advocate for improved education for African Americans, emphasizing the significance of education as a tool for liberation.
Powell Sr. had worked his way out of poverty and through Wayland Seminary, a historically black college, and postgraduate study at Yale University and Virginia Theological Seminary. In the year of his son's birth in New Haven, Powell Sr. was called as the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
He led the church for decades through major expansion, including fundraising for and the construction of an addition to accommodate the increased membership of the congregation during the years of the Great Migration, as many African Americans moved north from the South. That congregation grew to a community of 10,000 people.
