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Thomas Freeman

1919 – 2020

Debate coach

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About Thomas Freeman

Lived 1919 – 2020 (aged 100). Thomas Freeman was an American philosopher.

Thomas Freeman (June 27, 1919 – June 6, 2020) was an American lecturer in religion, a preacher, and a debate coach. His students included Martin Luther King Jr. at Morehouse College and U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan at Texas Southern University.

According to his New York Times obituary on June 17, 2020, Freeman was associated with the Texas Southern University debate team that "rose to national prominence". Freeman founded the team in 1949 and led it for more than 60 years. He also served as a consultant for Denzel Washington on the film The Great Debaters, offering actors a training camp on how to debate.

Biography

Early life and education Freeman was born in Richmond, Virginia, one of fifteen children born to his father Louis Hyne Freeman, a vegetable peddler, and his mother Louise Elizabeth (Willis) Freeman, who managed the home.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Virginia Union University, University of Chicago, University of Vienna, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School

People in Thomas Freeman's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Thomas Freeman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Thomas Freeman?

debate coach

When was Thomas Freeman born?

Thomas Freeman was born on 27 June 1919 in Richmond.

When did Thomas Freeman die?

Thomas Freeman died on 6 June 2020 in Houston.

What was Thomas Freeman's occupation?

Thomas Freeman was a philosopher.

What nationality was Thomas Freeman?

Thomas Freeman was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Thomas Freeman

· Wikidata: Q97013155

· DBpedia: Thomas Freeman (debate coach)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Thomas Freeman. https://biography.guide/thomas-freeman-philosopher/

MLA: "Thomas Freeman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/thomas-freeman-philosopher/.

Chicago: "Thomas Freeman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/thomas-freeman-philosopher/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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