Booker T. Washington believed that black people needed to EARN their place in society by achievement and effort ... W.E.B. DuBois wanted everything handed on a golden platter. The racist NAACP is DuBois' creation; Washington is largely relegated to the 'dustbin of history'.
Funny how it works that way.
Yes, Booker T. was a far more instrumental black leader than Dr. King could ever be. In fact, I honestly think he was the greatest black leader in American history.