"He gave the commencement address when he was over 90 years old-probably the best commencement address I've ever heard. He was just like that, and there was a kind of strength, conscientiousness, lucidity about challenges in American life and a love of this place. He brought a powerful example of personal conscientiousness. When you were in the presence of John Hope Franklin, your expectations of your behavior and yourself were raised."
-President Richard Brodhead
"He was a very fine teacher and a very engaged colleague who became deeply a part of Duke and proud of it-as all of us at Duke were proud of him. We will miss him enormously."
-Former president Nannerl Keohane
"He faced the problem of racism in our country earlier than it was fashionable to face such a problem. He just stood tall and strong for everyone, and he was a wonderful teacher, a wonderful educator and a wonderful human.... He loved Duke, he loved Duke very much. He retired from the University of Chicago and moved to Durham. I don't think he had any intention of teaching, but they hooked him into it. And once he got into it, they loved him and they persuaded him to stay until he almost physically couldn't. He was a prince of a man, and we'll all miss him."
-Beverly Jarrett, former editor-in-chief of University of Missouri Press
"He always had loved Duke and Durham especially. When he had the opportunity to come to Duke, it was like having the chance to come back home again. And he was a tremendous presence in our department."
-William Chafe, Alice Mary Baldwin professor of history
"It's hard to imagine a world without John Hope Franklin. He was such a vital part of so many aspects of the historical profession and academia itself. It's a sad day for me. I certainly feel that America has suffered a loss right now. He was a great man and will be remembered for a long time."
-Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Victor S. Thomas professor of history and African American studies at Harvard University
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