The leader known for his use of civil disobedience to achieve social change is Martin Luther King Jr.. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to combat racial segregation and discrimination during the American Civil Rights Movement. He believed that peaceful protests, coupled with powerful rhetoric, could bring about societal transformation. His leadership culminated in monumental events such as the March on Washington and his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, which emphasized a vision of equality and justice for all, inspiring generations in the struggle for civil rights.