MAYS, Benjamin
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Howard University Digital Howard @ Howard University Manuscript Division Finding Aids Finding Aids 10-1-2015 MAYS, Benjamin MSRC Staff Follow this and additional works at: https://dh.howard.edu/finaid_manu Recommended Citation Staff, MSRC, "MAYS, Benjamin" (2015). Manuscript Division Finding Aids. 132. https://dh.howard.edu/finaid_manu/132 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Finding Aids at Digital Howard @ Howard University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Manuscript Division Finding Aids by an authorized administrator of Digital Howard @ Howard University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Benjamin Mays Papers Collection 223-1 to 223-181 Prepared by Joellen ElBashir, Curator Alhaji Conteh, Ph.D. MSRC Interns August 2016 Manuscript Division Scope Note The papers of Benjamin E. Mays (1895-1984) provide a glimpse into the life of the renowned educator, Baptist preacher, college president and civil rights advocate. The bulk of the papers range from the 1920s to the 1980s covering his extensive career in various roles at Howard University, Morehouse College and on the Atlanta Board of Education among many others. The papers consist of 217 cubic feet of material and include nine series; Personal and Family Papers, Correspondence, Organizational Affiliations, Speeches and Other Writings, Photos, Audio/Visual Materials, Academic Regalia, Certificates/Awards/Artifacts and Subject Files. The papers were donated in four installations by Dr. Benjamin Mays and the initial deposit was received on March of 1976 by Dr. Michael Winston, former Director of the MSRC. One of the largest sections in the Mays papers, comprising approximately 48 cubic feet, is the Correspondence Series. The Correspondence Series is wide-ranging and contains both personal and professional correspondence. Many prominent twentieth century African-American artists, activists and scholars are represented in this series including; Carter G. Woodson, A. Phillip Randolph, Zora Neale Hurston and Dorothy Height. Dr. Mays also maintained a close relationship with the King family and the correspondence reflects this with letters from Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Sr. and various other King family members. It also contains correspondence with politicians such Nelson Rockefeller and Adam Clayton Powell. Needless to say the correspondence series is an indispensable source of information into both the personal and public life of Mays. Of particular importance is the Organizational Affiliation Series. Dr. Mays had a remarkable career and was a member and/or affiliated with a diverse array of organizations and institutions. These organizations and institutions were educational, religious, political and philanthropic in nature. Some of 1 the more prominent organizations and institutions included in this series are: Morehouse College, Howard University, the University of Chicago, the Democratic National Convention, the NAACP, the YMCA, the Interdenominational Theological Center, the United Negro College Fund and the Ford Foundation among many others. This series reflects the institutional legacy of Dr. Mays. Another significant feature of the Mays papers are the Speeches and Other Writings Series. This series contains written transcripts of the speeches Dr. Mays gave at colleges and universities, fundraising events as well his numerous religious sermons. These speeches include full transcripts as well as notes and revisions. Among the other writings are papers that Dr. Mays wrote on civil rights, race relations, politics, education and his regular column in the Pittsburgh Courier and Chicago Defender. This series contains a copy of his master’s thesis and his manuscripts Born to Rebel and Disturbed About Man. The Speeches and Other Writings Series provides a glimpse into the philosophy of Dr. Mays. The Benjamin Mays Papers provide researchers with a plethora of primary sources to investigate the life of Dr. Mays. From his speeches to his personal and professional writings, organizational documents and various artifacts, the Mays Papers give a comprehensive view of his life and work. Cover Photo: Portrait of Dr. Benjamin Mays (Undated). 2 Biographical Sketch Dr. Benjamin E. Mays 1894 August 1 Born to S. Hezekiah and Louvenia (Carter) Mays in Epsworth, South Carolina 1916 Graduated as Valedictorian from the High School Department, South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina 1920 Graduated with honors from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine Married Ellen Harvin, South Carolina teacher, who died in 1923 1921-1924 Taught mathematics at Morehouse College and was the Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia 1925 Earned a Masters of Arts degree from the University of Chicago 1926 Married Sadie Gray, social worker 1928-1930 Held the position of National Student Secretary, YMCA 1934-40 Dean of the School of Religion, Howard University, Washington D.C. where he significantly improved the national reputation of the school. 1935 Earned a Ph.D. University of Chicago 1935 Elected member Phi Beta Kappa and Delta Sigma Rho, Bates College 1937 One of thirteen Americans to attend the World Conference of YMCA’s in Mysore, India. 1940-67 Became President of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and served in this capacity for 27 years. Mays was elected President Emeritus upon his retirement. 1946 Began his “My View” weekly column for the Pittsburgh Courier. 1949-1953 Member of the Central Committee for the World Council of Churches. 1958-1961 President of the United Negro College Fund, Inc. 1959 Appointed to Advisory Council of United States Committee for the United Nations. 1961 Appointed member National Advisory Council of Peace Corps. 1961 Represented the 1962 Member, United States National Commission for UNESCO 1969 Sadie Gray Mays died. 3 1969 Published Disturbed About Man, a collection of his sermons including his eulogy for his close friend and mentee Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1969 Became a consultant to the Office of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington, D.C. 1969 Elected to the Atlanta Board of Education 1969-1981 Elected President of the Atlanta Board of Education and played an instrumental role in the desegregation of Atlanta schools. 1970 Became a consultant for the Ford Foundation 1971 Published Born to Rebel, a social and political autobiography. 1974 Became a member of the board for numerous organizations including: United Negro College Fund, University of Chicago Alumni Association, Paine College, Religious Heritage of America, Butler Street YMCA, among others. 1977 Received the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award- given by the Martin Luther King Center. 1977 City of Los Angeles- Certificate of Commendation from Mayor Tom Bradley. 1977 Recipient of the Roy Wilkins NAACP Award- Scholar, Clergyman, Statesman and Humanitarian. 1980 Recipient of the Ebony Lifetime Achievement Award, Johnson Publishing Company. 1981 Dedication of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, GA. 1984 March 28 Dr. Benjamin Mays died in Atlanta, GA. Source: Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Elijah Mays, revised February 20, 1984. 4 Photo 2: Young Benjamin Mays (Undated). 5 Series Descriptions Series A Personal and Family Papers Box 223-1 to The Personal and Family series contains biographical information for Box 223-8 Benjamin Mays, his wife Sadie Mays and her sister Emma C. W. Gray. This series contains family correspondence and documents as well as information in regards to the organizational affiliations of Sadie Mays. Series B Correspondence Box 223-9 to The Correspondence Series represents a significant amount of the Mays Box 223-49 Papers. The list of names in the correspondence series include various political and cultural icons such as: Channing Tobias, Anna Julia Copper, President Harry Truman, A. Phillip Randolph, Newt Gingrich, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Paul and Eslanda Robeson and Mary McLeod Bethune among others. Of particular note in this series is the correspondence between Dr. Mays and various members of the King family including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Martin Luther King Sr., Coretta Scott King and a few others. Series C Organizational Affiliations Box 223-50 to The Organizational Affiliations series represents the brilliant career of Dr. 223-118 Mays as an educator and administrator and his many organizational and institutional affiliations. Some significant materials in this series document Dr. Mays’ time with the Atlanta Board of Education during the 1970s, his time at Morehouse University and as a member of the YMCA. Series D Speeches and Other Writings Box 223-119 to The Speeches and Other Writings by Dr. Mays include drafts and notes Box 223-149 regarding his manuscripts Born to Rebel and Disturbed About Man. Also included are his various sermons, newspaper articles, speeches, wedding ceremonies and eulogies. Of special note is the Martin Luther King, Jr. eulogy by Dr. Mays. Series E Photographs Box 223-150 to The Photographs series documents many of the activities of Dr. Mays. Box 223-155 There are photographs of Dr. Mays and Mrs. Sadie Mays including some excellent portraits. There are also numerous photographs of Dr. Mays with historical figures like Mary McLeod Bethune and President Jimmy Carter. Series F Audio/Visual Box 223-156 to The audio series includes reel to reel tapes, cassette tapes, and video Box 223-159 cassettes of speeches made by Dr. Mays. There is also a collection of vinyl recordings of speeches and performances