Schomburg Center Acquires Archives of Literary Great James Baldwin

James Baldwin

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at The New York Public Library, today announced acquisition of the personal archive of literary icon and social critic, James Baldwin. The acquisition is particularly timely given the surge in popularity of Baldwin and his works after the release of Raoul Peck’s documentary, I Am Not Your Negro. The Schomburg Center screened the film for the public prior to its release. This acquisition places the Schomburg Center as the premier institution for research into James Baldwin’s intellectual, cultural, and social life.

The archive includes handwritten letters and manuscripts; handwritten and typed drafts of essays, novels, and short stories; unpublished and published creative works in all stages of completion. There are also galleys and screenplays, interviews, telegrams, personal photographs, correspondence and audio recordings. Like most archives, this collection is comprehensive and offers an intimate look at Baldwin’s personal as well as creative lives.

Baldwin Was Born and Raised in Harlem

This acquisition is also a homecoming of sorts for Baldwin who was born and raised in Harlem. The historic community was the setting for a number of his works, which examined race, manhood, and society in general in mid-twentieth century America. From Go Tell It On The Mountain to Giovanni’s Room, visitor will be able to track the creative evolution of these and other literary works. “We are more than excited to have James Baldwin return home to Harlem,” says Kevin Young, Director of the Schomburg Center, which is located in Harlem. “Baldwin’s amazing collection adds to our ever-growing holdings of writers, political figures, artists, and cultural icons across the African diaspora.” In addition, there are personal letters to friends, family, and other confidantes. Not all of archive has been made immediately available for public consumption. Some of the material will remain unavailable for a number of years.

The Schomburg Center Houses Archives of Many African-American Historical Figures

Malcolm X, Lorraine Hansberry, and Maya Angelou all have collections at the Schomburg Center and Baldwin was their colleague. In fact producer Rita Coburn-Whack, whose film Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise recently aired on PBS as part of its American Masters series, credits James Baldwin's estate with allowing her and co-producer Bob Hercules access to hundreds of photographs of Angelou, that they subsequently included in their documentary.

Items from the Baldwin Archive will be on limited public display at the Schomburg from April 13-17 as part of the exhibition The Evidence of Things Seen: Selections from the James Baldwin Papers. Photographs of James Baldwin from the Schomburg’s existing archive will be included in the display.

Highlights from the James Baldwin Archive and The Evidence of Things Seen: Selections from the James Baldwin Papers exhibition include:

• The Amen Corner playscript with inscriptions and The Amen Corner Playbill with Signatures from the Cast

• The Amen Corner, first published in 1954, is one of two plays written by James Baldwin. Covering topics such as the Black church, poverty, and Harlem, inspiration for, The Amen Corner, was likely drawn from Baldwin’s real life encounters and experiences as the stepson of Harlem preacher, David Baldwin.

• On Martin Luther King, essay

• In this insightful inscription, Baldwin, recounts his first, and last encounters with his dear friend and fellow freedom fighter, Martin Luther King Jr, one of the three subjects noted in the recent film, I Am Not Your Negro. Here, Baldwin, intimately describes the phone call he received while working on a never released screen adaptation, of The Autobiography of Malcolm X, with notable actor, Billy Dee Williams, the notifying him that King had been assassinated.

• Letter to my Sister, Ms Angela Davis

• “Letter to my Sister, Ms. Angela Davis”, was written by, James Baldwin, in November of 1970, just one month after Davis’ arrest in New York City by FBI agents. In the letter, Baldwin, shares sentiments of solidarity with Davis, and recounts his then recent experiences speak out about her legal case on the radio, television, and in Germany.”

• Just Above My Head

• These four handwritten notes provide insight into Baldwin’s character development process On these notes, Baldwin jotted down various ideas about, Hal, Arthur, Stanley, and Paul, such as their birthdates, dream states, and locations of birth.

• Notes on Beauford Delaney

• Noted Harlem Renaissance painter, Beauford Delaney, has been referred to as the “spiritual father” of James Baldwin. Delaney and Baldwin, first encountered one another when, Baldwin was 15 and fostered an artistic relationship that spanned several decades. Baldwin’s France home became Delaney’s, haven in the latter years of his life.

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