The famous civil rights activist known for his work with the NAACP is W.E.B. Du Bois. He played a pivotal role in the early 20th century civil rights movement, advocating for the rights of African Americans through his writings and activism. Du Bois was a co-founder of the NAACP and championed the importance of higher education for Black individuals. His idea of the Talented Tenth highlighted the leadership role of an educated elite in uplifting the Black community and combating racial discrimination.