Felix B. Cooper papers, 1929-1961

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Cooper, Felix B., 1888-1958
Title
Felix B. Cooper papers
Dates
1929-1961 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.2 cubic feet
Collection Number
1249 (Accession No. 1249-001)
Summary
Papers of a Dentist and civic leader of Seattle, Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Presume open to all users

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Felix Bond Cooper was born in 1888 in Pennsylvania and graduate of Lincoln University and the University of Michigan Dental School. He came to Seattle in 1913 and practiced until his retirement in 1955 due to ill health. He married Hazel James in 1930, and they had Joyce and Felix Jr. Hazel died in 1930, and in 1949 he married Bella Taylor McKnight. He died in 1958. Dr. Cooper had an interest in civil rights issues. He worked with the following organizations: Christian Friends for Racial Equality, Civic Unity Committee (Seattle); Family Society of Seattle, Meals for Millions, Mount Zion Baptist Church, National Association of the Advancement of Colored People, Roosevelt College of Chicago, Washington State Dental Association, and Young Men's Christian Association of Seattle. He was also one of the founders of the Seattle Urban League.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

General correspondence, financial records, ephemera, scrapbooks, miscellaneous clippings; ca. 1929-1961.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged in 4 series.

  • Series 1, General Correspondence, 1936-1962
  • Series 2, Notes and Notebooks, 1920-1949
  • Series 3, Ephemera, 1932-1955
  • Series 4, Scrapbook and Miscellaneous Clippings, 1932-1957

Acquisition Information

Donated by Mrs. Felix Cooper

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Series 1:  General Correspondence, 1936-1962Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1
General Correspondence
Correspondence with Anne Guthrie, Washington Dental Association, NAACP, Roosevelt College in Chicago, and Meals for Millions
1936-1962

Series 2:  Notes and Notebooks, 1920-1949Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1
Notes
undated
1
Notebooks
Notebooks includes: one book of personal/unknown notes; a daily planner from 1949; one ledger book with notes for talks; and one notebook with notes about a book review
1949. undated
1, 3
Financial Records
Two books with records of dental transactions, including names, dates, procedure, and cost, one from 1920-1928 and one from 1932-1942; one ledger of transactions from 1943-1944; Attucks Co. ledger from 1929; ledger from other business, 1929-1943
1920-1944

Series 3:  Ephemera, 1932-1955Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1
Biographical Data
1933, 1945
1
Ephemera
Includes annual reports, programs, lessons, articles, publications, magazines, pamphlets, other writings, leaflets, and bulletins
1932-1955, undated
2
Ephemera
Small books and pamphlets, including The Prism, You and Others, Bismarck and the German Empire, The Essence of Buddhism, Science of History, The Negro Question, Perseverance: How to Develop It, Co-op Fact Finder, The Races of Mankind, The Crisis, The Worker, Outdoor Verse, Cooperation: The Dominant Economic Idea of the Future, Objectives of Consumers' Cooperation, Here is Tomorrow, First Blows, Race Discrimination and the Law, What Do the People of Africa Want? Step by Step With Interracial Groups, Are You an American?
1943-1964
3
Ephemera
Pamphlets, "Spellman Messenger," programs, card, passenger list
1945-1949

Series 4:  Scrapbook and Miscellaneous Clippings, 1932-1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3
Mount Zion Baptist Church, Seattle Minutes
1932-1936
3
Scrapbook
Dr. Cooper's personal scrapbook, which includes clippings, cards, programs, and notes
1933-1941
3
Young Men's Christian Association, Seattle
1935-1943
3
Civic Unity Committee, Seattle
1943-1948
3
Attucks Realty and Investment Co., Seattle
1941-1953
3
Family Society of Seattle: Report on Migrant Negro
1943
3
Civic Unity Committee, Seattle
1946-1957
3
Clippings
1950-1955

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • African American civic leaders--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • African Americans--Civil rights--History--Sources
  • African Americans--Washington (State)--History--Sources
  • Baptists--Washington (State)--History--Sources
  • Charities--Washington (State)--History--Sources
  • Civil rights--United States--History--Sources
  • Civil rights--Washington (State)--History--Sources
  • Civil rights--Washington (State)--Seattle--History--Sources
  • Dentists--Washington (State)--Seattle--Archives
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Professional associations--Washington (State)--History--Sources
  • Race relations--History--Sources
  • Universities and colleges--Illinois--History--Sources
  • Young Men's Christian associations--Washington (State)--History--Sources

Personal Names

  • Cooper, Felix B., 1888-1958--Archives
  • Guthrie, Anne

Corporate Names

  • Civic Unity Committee (Seattle, Wash.)--History--Sources
  • Family Society of Seattle--History--Sources
  • Meals for Millions Foundation--History--Sources
  • Mount Zion Baptist Church (Seattle, Wash.)--History--Sources
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People--History--Sources
  • Roosevelt College of Chicago--History--Sources
  • Washington State Dental Association--History--Sources
  • Young Men's Christian Association (Seattle, Wash.)--History--Sources

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names
    • Apartment Operators' Association (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Attucks Realty Co., Seattle, Wash (creator)
    • Civic Unity Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • Family Society of Seattle (creator)
    • Meals for Millions (creator)
    • Mount Zion Baptist Church (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (creator)
    • Roosevelt College (Chicago, Ill.) (creator)
    • Washington State Dental Association (creator)
    • Young Men's Christian Association (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)