The leading figure in the field of sociology recognized for their work on race and class is W.E.B. Du Bois. His groundbreaking book, “The Souls of Black Folk,” addressed the complexities of African American identity and the impact of systemic racism. Du Bois introduced the concept of the double consciousness, illustrating how oppressed individuals navigate their identities in a society that marginalizes them. His contributions to the understanding of social stratification and race relations continue to inform sociological research today.