David driskell artist biography

American painter, scholar, and curator (1931–2020)

David C. Driskell (June 7, 1931 – April 1, 2020) was an American artist, scholar and curator recognized for his work in establishing African-American Art as a distinct field of study.^[1][2] In his lifetime, Driskell was cited as one of the world's leading authorities on the subject of African-American Art.^[3] Driskell held the title of Distinguished University Professor of Art Emeritus at the University of Maryland, College Park.^[4] The David C.

Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, is named in his honor.

Early life and education

David Clyde Driskell was born in 1931 in Eatonton, Georgia, the son of George Washington Driskell, a Baptist minister, and Mary Cloud Driskell, a homemaker.^[1] His grandfather, William Driskell, was born into slavery in 1862, and taught himself Methodist doctrine, becoming a minister.^[5] When David Driskell wa