Earl Conrad papers , 1950-1969

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Conrad, Earl
Title
Earl Conrad papers
Dates
1950-1969 (inclusive)
Quantity
4.5 linear feet, (3 containers)  :  3 record storage boxes
Collection Number
Ax 460
Summary
Earl Conrad (1912–1986) was an author who specialized in biographies and books about the African American experience and race relations, among other non-fiction books and criticisms. The collection contains manuscript material and published works, professional and personal correspondence, research materials, underground newspapers, teaching materials, reviews, publicity, and news clippings.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Additional Reference Guides

Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Earl Conrad (1912–1986) was an author who specialized in biographies and books about the African American experience and race relations, among other non-fiction books and criticisms. Early in his professional career he served as the Harlem bureau chief for the Chicago Defender.

Conrad published over twenty works. Among them, In 1943, Conrad wrote a biography of Harriet Tubman (1943). In 1950, Conrad authored a book about the Scottsboro Boys, and in 1966 wrote The Invention of the Negro.

Earl Conrad died in 1986.

[Source: New York Public Libraries: http://www.nypl.org/archives/3573]

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection contains manuscript material and published works, professional and personal correspondence, research materials, underground newspapers, reviews, teaching materials, publicity, and news clippings.

Publisher correspondence includes the following publishers, editors, writers, and agents: Oscar Collier, Doubleday and Company, Paul E. Pross (Windfall Press), and Philip Van Doren Stern.

The papers include the manuscripts and supporting material for Billy Rose: Manhattan Primitive, The Invention of the Negro, Battle New York, and Typoo.

The initial donation contains manuscript material for Billy Rose: Manhattan Primitive and The Invention of the Negro. Material includes drafts, galley proofs, author and printer's notations, research and interviews, bibliographies, publicity, and correspondence.

Miscellaneous material includes personal correspondence with government officials and newspapers.

The 1968 Addendum contains professional and general correspondence. Incoming letters and carbons of outgoing correspondence are alphabetically organized by last name or title. There are also two folders of personal correspondence.

Miscellaneous material includes manuscript material for Billy Rose, materials for a class taught by Conrad, publicity and news clippings about Conrad's work.

The 1969 Addendum contains manuscript material, published works and correspondence. Manuscript material for the books, Battle New York, Billy Rose: Manhattan Primitive, and Typoo includes research material, interviews, drafts with revisions, edited printer's copy, corrected and uncorrected galley proofs. Correspondence is separated into outgoing letters organized by date (1964-1968) and incoming letters alphabetically organized by last name or title. There is a separate section of incoming editorial correspondence (1960-1969) organized by publisher name.

Miscellaneous material includes contracts, research material, reviews, books by other authors, materials for a class taught by Conrad, and underground newspapers including Black Panther, Muhammad Speaks, The Burning World Review, Haight Ashbury-Tribune, San Francisco Oracle, Los Angeles Free Press, San Francisco Express Times, and The Movement.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • African Americans
  • African Americans
  • African Americans in literature
  • American fiction--20th century--Authorship
  • Authors and publishers--Correspondence
  • Authors and publishers--United States
  • Authors, American--20th century
  • Biographers--United States
  • Biography as a literary form
  • Race relations in literature

Personal Names

  • Conrad, Earl
  • Conrad, Earl
  • Rose, Billy, 1899-1966

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts for publication