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James Weldon Johnson collection files

 Collection
Call Number: JWJ MSS 114

Scope and Contents

The James Weldon Johnson Collection Files contain letters, literary works and other documents arranged alphabetically by the name of author, recipient, or subject, and dating from 1809 to 1979.

The Files contain several letters, accompanied by poems, that were sent to James Weldon Johnson. Correspondence sent to Langston Hughes, Harold Jackman, Grace Nail Johnson and Carl Van Vechten is also prominent in the Files. Broadway actress Rose McClendon's scripts, used when performing in various productions, can also be found in Files.

Some early documents relate to slavery. These include correspondence and related materials dating from 1809 concerning Samuel Osborn who was accused of cutting off his slave's ear. The Files also include bills of sale and an estate inventory, which includes a list of slaves, dating from 1856.

Writings by a number of prominent twentieth century African-American intellectuals are included in the Files, such as Sterling Allen Brown, George Washington Carver, Ralph Ellison, and J. Saunders Redding.

Prominent African-American women authors are also represented, as seen in documents relating to Elizabeth Ross Haynes and Margaret Walker.

Dates

  • 1809 - 1979

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The James Weldon Johnson Collection Files is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired from various sources. For more information see catalog cards filed in the collection.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by the name of author, recipient, or subject.

Extent

8.54 Linear Feet (21 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.jwjfile

Overview

The James Weldon Johnson Collection Files contain manuscript correspondence, literary works and other documents relating to African Americans, dating from 1809 to 1979. The collection contains several letters to James Weldon Johnson from aspiring poets asking for feedback on their writing. Correspondence sent to Langston Hughes, Harold Jackman, Grace Nail Johnson, and Carl Van Vechten is also prominent in the collection. The collection includes broadway actress Rose McClendon's scripts used when performing in various productions. Some early documents relate to slavery; these include bills of sale and an estate inventory dating from 1856. Writings by Sterling Allen Brown, George Washington Carver, Ralph Ellison, and J. Saunders Redding can be found in the collection. African-American women authors are also represented; most notably in writings and correspondence of Elizabeth Ross Haynes and Margaret Walker.

Processing Information

Collections are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, competing priorities, and whether or not further accruals are expected. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections [as they are acquired], and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.

This finding aid was produced from a previously existing card set in the Manuscripts Catalog, or from another inventory. All pertinent bibliographical information has been retained.

This collection includes materials previously identified by the following call numbers: Uncat JWJ Files, JWJ MSS Small Collections.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
Title
Guide to the James Weldon Johnson Collection Files
Status
Under Revision
Author
by Beinecke Staff
Date
May 1998
Description rules
Beinecke Manuscript Unit Archival Processing Manual
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository

Contact:
P. O. Box 208330
New Haven CT 06520-8330 US
(203) 432-2977

Location

121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours

Access Information

The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.