Scope and arrangement
The Carleton L. Lee papers contain material reflecting his various positions, with files discussing aspects of his professional employment and activities. A contributor to professional, church and literary journals, his writings are also represented in the collection. Additionally, there are materials related to Lee's participation in several educational societies and organizations.
The Carleton L. Lee papers are arranged in seven series:
-
1932-1934
The personal papers include diaries that he maintained while a student at Talledega College and the University of Chicago from 1932 to 1934 which mention some of his activities during this time.
-
1935-1962
The Education series includes files related to each of the colleges he attended. In addition to his notes for a class he took about church history, Talledega College is also represented by alumni association material, as Lee was the president of the Midwestern Region of the alumni club. There are class notes and papers he wrote while pursuing his Bachelors of Divinity at Chicago Theological Seminary, and excerpts from his dissertation for the University of Chicago. A file contains convention material for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
-
1944-1972
Lee's correspondence files consist of letters to editors of several newspapers, letters regarding addresses he delivered, and job inquiries at universities, among other professional matters with colleagues, 1944-1972.
-
This series consists of material related to Lee's various professional positions. For his employment with the Southern Area of the National Council of the YMCA, there are reports on interracial conferences, correspondence with officials of the YMCA, programs, and other printed material. Files pertaining to his work for the World Council of Churches in West Germany includes correspondence with his colleagues and family regarding his experiences, reports he and others wrote, associated printed matter, and other related material.
Lee held three positions at Central State College in Wilberforce, but the correspondence does not discuss his various positions or specific activities. There are minutes of the Administrative Committee on Graduate Studies, a few reports and prayers which Lee wrote, and religious and commencement programs. His leadership of Black Americana Studies at Western Michigan University is represented by minutes of the Advisory Committee of this program; Lee's description of the program and course offerings; and relevant brochures and other printed material. Teaching notes and student evaluations for a class he taught are also in this section.
-
1954-1972
The Professional activities series includes numerous programs for events where Lee spoke; most are orders of services for churches where Lee was the guest pastor. Files also discuss the National Association of College and University Chaplains, for which he served as president from 1961-1962.
-
1936-1938
Lee's writings include reprints of a few of his publications; an extensive diary covering the years 1936 to 1938 with notes on his religious activities; and sermons, addresses, eulogies, numerous poems, and prayers.
-
1970-1971
The last series, Subject files, consists of printed material related to black studies departments forming on college campuses in the early 1970s.