{"value"=>"<p>Series consists almost entirely of incoming letters, cards, telegrams, and faxes. It is divided into two sub-series, General Correspondence and AIDS Announcement. Additional correspondence may be found in the Personal Papers, Boards and Organizations, Projects and Proposed Projects, Davis Cup Captaincy, and Writings series, particularly the <em>A Hard Road to Glory</em> sub-series.</p> <p>The General Correspondence sub-series extends from 1968, when Ashe won the United States Open, until his death in 1993. Due to his extensive travel schedule, particularly while playing competitive tennis prior to 1980, there are only a few individuals with whom Ashe carried on a substantive correspondence of more than one or two letters. These are foldered by individual name and include his lawyer and agent, Donald Dell, and Dell's onetime partner, Frank H. Craighill 3rd, who discuss business and financial matters (including the 1983 break-up of their law and management firm) and give Ashe encouragement with tennis matches and health problems; British tennis legend and peace activist Henry \"Bunny\" Austin, who comments on subjects ranging from tennis to political events in Britain, Africa, and the Middle East; tennis champion Stan Smith; tennis official Robert A. Briner; sportswriter Frank Deford; and business executive and tennis supporter Joseph F. Cullman 3rd. There is additional correspondence from Dell and Cullman relating to Ashe's 1973 visit to South African in the Personal Papers series.</p> <p>The remainder of the General Correspondence sub-series is organized chronologically. It covers a wide variety of subjects, including Ashe's political activities, Davis Cup captaincy, business ventures, requests and acknowledgements for personal appearances, congratulations for victories won and awards received, and his illnesses. Ashe's correspondents include world figures, relatives, friends, fans, and admirers, such as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Bishop Desmond Tutu, South African anti-apartheid legislator Helen Suzman, members of the Kennedy and Shriver families, six American presidents, local and state officials in Virginia, and numerous tennis personalities.</p> <p>Correspondence concerning his earliest trips to South Africa in 1973 and 1974 was maintained separately by Ashe along with related printed material and is found in the Personal Papers series.</p> <p>The earliest correspondence, in 1968, contains a number of telegrams congratulating Ashe on his victory at the U. S. Open championships and a letter from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., written shortly before Ashe was to deliver his first political speech, thanking Ashe for his support and encouraging him to bring the respect and authority he has achieved to the Movement. The good wishes from friends after Ashe's first heart attack in 1979 include a long letter from fellow player Erik Van Dillen concerning life beyond tennis. R. Sargent Shriver, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and other Kennedy family members thank him for his financial support and other encouragement in the 1976 and 1980 presidential campaigns and various charitable endeavors.</p> <p>In the 1980s, letters discuss apartheid in South Africa and whether athletes should compete there, including ones from American golfer Jack Nicklaus and Canadian businessman John R. Turpin. A letter from Prof. Harry Edwards comments on an Ashe article concerning Edwards' relationship to Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos. (Additional material relating to Harry Edwards may be found in the National Organization on the Status of Minorities in Sports folder in the Organizations and Boards series. Edwards chaired the organization and Ashe served on its Executive Board.) Other correspondents include students discussing Ashe's influence on them, tennis officials and personalities writing to Ashe regarding tennis politics and Davis Cup matters, and numerous well-wishers following his heart surgeries. Letters in the 1990s contain requests for appearances, interviews, and speaking engagements, as well as encouragement sent by many friends and fans during Ashe's illnesses both before and after his AIDS announcement. USTA Nominating Committee chairman Charles B. Morris responds to Ashe's request for information on the composition and selection of the USTA Board. Dr. R. Walter Johnson's son Robert criticizes some of Ashe's statements in interviews about their youth in Richmond. There are also numerous congratulations following Ashe's selection as <em>Sports Illustrated</em>'s 1992 Sportsman of the Year.</p>"}