The Life and Impact of J. Ernest Wilkins Jr.

Graden A. Patterson

Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr. (1923-2011) was a highly accomplished African American nuclear physicist. During his life, Wilkins fought for equality during an era plagued by Jim Crow, segregation, the Great Depression, and World War II. During this period, he was touted as the “Negro Genius” and went on to help the war effort as a member of the Manhattan Project. Departing from the Manhattan project in 1946, Wilkins would go on to pave the way for future African Americans to succeed in the realm of Mathematics and Physics by starting Ph. D. programs around the country. In his life, Wilkins used his intellect to break the color barrier, help create the Atomic bomb, and ultimately helped pave the way for future African Americans to pursue Mathematics.

• Graden A. Patterson is a junior math with secondary education certification major at Lander University. Graden is from Anderson, South Carolina and graduated from Crescent High School. He is a member of the Powerlifting Club at Lander and an assistant coach of the Dixie High School Wrestling program in Due West, South Carolina.