George Wilson Becton was the "first of the colorful cult leaders in Harlem." He began charismatic preaching in about 1930, after the decline of Marcus Garvey, and continued until he was mysteriously murdered in 1933. Becton's sermons were formal and presented in a dignified setting, with orchestral music and liveried pages. He was kidnapped and shot to death on May 25, 1933. He died without describing his attackers or explaining why anybody might have wanted him killed. Claude McKay wrote about Becton in his book Harlem, Negro Metropolis. References 1933 deaths 1933 murders in the United States African-American Christian clergy American Christian clergy Kidnapped American people Male murder victims Murdered African-American people Deaths by firearm in New York (state) People murdered in New York (state) Year of birth missing