- Creator
- Butler, William H. (William Henson), 1903-1981
- Call number
- Sc MG 225
- Physical description
- .10 linear feet (2 boxes)
- Preferred Citation
- William H. Butler papers, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, The New York Public Library
- Repository
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
- Access to materials
- Some collections held by the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture are held off-site and must be requested in advance. Please check the collection records in the NYPL's online catalog for detailed location information. To request access to materials in the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, please visit: http://archives.nypl.org/divisions/scm/request_access Request access to this collection.
"Billy" Butler was a musical arranger, conductor, violinist and travel editor of the "Pittsburgh Courier." A graduate of Chicago Musical College, Butler worked with J. Rosamond Johnson, Eubie Blake and other prominent African-American musicians of the period. He also conducted several musical revues including Lew Leslie's "Blackbirds of 1939," "Rhapsody in Black" and Sissle and Blake's "Shuffle Along." In 1947 Butler started "Travelguide," a directory of public accommodations in the United States which catered to people of African descent. The list was later expanded to include foreign countries. Butler was also co-owner of King Travel Organization, Inc., a New York City agency which specifically catered to travelers of African descent. Papers include correspondence and printed material relating to Butler's musical career, articles by Butler on African-American music and musicians, a scrapbook containing reviews of the Lew Leslie musicals in which he appeared, orchestral parts for "Blackbirds of 1939" and "Rhapsody in Black," holograph scores by Butler, a folder of lyrics and a playscript by Butler entitled "Let's Forget Papa.".
Administrative information
Source of acquisition
Gift, Lenszler, Bill, 19850125Key terms
Names
- Butler, William H. (William Henson), 1903-1981
- Blake, Eubie, 1887-1983
- Johnson, J. C., 1896-1981
- Wilson, Edith, 1896-1981
Subjects
- African American businesspeople
- African American entertainers
- African American musicians
- African Americans -- Music
- Musicals -- United States
- Revues -- United States
- Travel agents
Material types
Using the collection
Location
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor