Herbert Bruce papers

1914-1982 [bulk 1934-1959]

Born in 1900 in Barbados, Herbert Bruce was a leading Black Democratic politician in Harlem during the 1930-1950s. He won the leadership of the Beaver Democratic Club in 1935 with the assistance of the Ramapo Democratic Club, leading to his election as the first Black Tammany Hall District leader in New York City. Later, in 1950, he became the leader of the Crusaders Democratic Club. At different times, Bruce was elected as district leader of the 21st and 12th Assembly Districts, and he was considered the most powerful unifying figure among Blacks before the emergence of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Bruce used his position on the executive committee of Tammany Hall to seek opportunities for people in his district. Among his accomplishments was the appointment of a Black individual as collector of Internal Revenue in the Third District, a position won by James Weldon Johnson in 1939. Bruce also succeeded in gaining support for the idea of a Black representative in Congress, opening the path for the election of Powell in 1952. At odds for years with Powell, it was Bruce who ran against, but lost to, Powell in the Democratic primary.