The Civil Rights History Project: Survey of Collections and Repositories

Roy Wilkins papers

Repository: Library of Congress. Manuscript Division

Collection Description (CRHP): An addition to the collection includes interviews.

Collection Description (Extant): Civil rights leader and journalist. Correspondence, memoranda, diary, manuscripts of speeches, newspaper columns, and articles, subject files, reports, minutes, committee, board, and administrative material, printed material, and other papers relating primarily to Wilkins's career with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in various positions between 1931 and 1977, especially his service as executive director (1965-1977).

The Speeches and Writings series includes drafts and published copies of articles and newspaper columns by Wilkins, especially "The Roy Wilkins Column" released nationally by the Register and Tribune Syndicate and columns he wrote for the New Amsterdam News. Also in the series is an extensive file of speeches Wilkins delivered around the country in the cause of equal rights between 1946 and 1978.

Access Copy Note: The papers of Roy Wilkins are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.

Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of the Library. A sound recording and tape have been transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division. Photographs and other illustrated items have been transferred to the Prints and Photographs Division. All transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Wilkins Papers.

Date(s): 1901-1980

Digital Status: No

Existing IDs: MSS75939

Extent: 28,200 items ; 76 containers ; 30.7 linear feet

Finding Aid URL: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms002001

Language: English

Interviewees: Roy Wilkins

Rights (Extant): The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Roy Wilkins is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Subjects:

African American civil rights workers
African American journalists
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Wilkins, Roy, 1901-1981

Genres:

Interviews
Manuscripts
Photographs
Sound recordings
Speeches
Transcripts