Carleton L. Lee received his bachelor's degree from Talledega College (1933) and his master's (1937) and doctorate (1951) from the University of Chicago. An African-American educator and social worker, he worked for the National Council of the YMCA in Atlanta as the associate secretary of the Southern Area; Tuskegee Institute as chaplain (1947-1953); and the World Council of Churches in Germany where he was a fraternal worker (1953-1955).
Lee began his academic career teaching at historically black colleges. He was chair and professor of philosophy and religion at Tougaloo Southern Christian College (1955-1957), and also taught at Central State College in Wilberforce, Ohio, where his last appointment there was as professor of philosophy and religion from 1957-1967. From 1967-1969 he was professor of social science (sociology) at Cheyney State College in Pennsylvania. Lee's final position was at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo where he was a professor and the first director of Black Americana Studies from 1969 until his death in 1972.
From the description of Carleton L. Lee papers, 1931-1972. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 183414319
