The George W. Bennett Manuscript consists of several drafts for a book he was writing. The manuscript contains an explanation of Bennett's philosophy of life and his perspective on society, as well as interpretations of several Biblical selections.
The Reverend George W. Bennett was born in Edenton, North Carolina in 1898. After finishing grade school Bennett began working as a laborer. A gambler and an excessive drinker, Bennett was arrested and charged with robbery twice. He was convicted and sentenced to thirty-five years in prison in 1932, following his second robbery arrest.
After four and one half years in jail Bennett became increasingly interested in Christianity. He claimed to have had religious visions and believed he had undergone a spiritual rebirth. He was transferred to Dannemoria State Hospital for the criminally insane in 1937 once he told prison doctors of his religious experiences. Eleven years later, he was sent to Clinton prison where he worked as secretary for the Protestant chaplain. In 1955, having served twenty-three years of his sentence, Bennett was released from jail.
Bennett was ordained by the Pentecostal Church and claimed to have established a church known as the King's Church of God; however no records exist regarding this church. While in prison, Bennett had begun writing of his life and his religious beliefs. He published three monographs: Life Behind the Walls of My Self-Made Fate(1964), an autobiography; The Meaning of Eternal Life(1966), and The Reality of God and the Interpretation of Being(1971), which were published by Vantage Press. Bennett lived in Brooklyn from 1974 until 1982. He is unlisted in New York City directories following this year.
*Much of the information from this biographical note was drawn from George Bennett's autobiography, Life Behind the Walls of My Self-Made Fate.
The George W. Bennett Manuscript consists of several drafts for a book he was writing. The manuscript contains an explanation of Bennett's philosophy of life and his perspective on society, as well as interpretations of several Biblical selections. The manuscript is undated, and is divided into two sections: Chapters and Miscellaneous.
Donated by The Reverend George W. Bennett, September 15, 1977. SCM 77-64
Processed by Hanna Bailey; Machine-readable finding aid created by Apex Data Services; revised by Terry Catapano.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
SCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCH IN BLACK CULTURE
RARE BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS AND ARCHIVES DIVISION
SEPARATION RECORD
The following items were removed from:
Name of Collection/PapersReverend George W. Bennett
Accession NumberSCM 77-64
Donor:Reverend George W. Bennett
Date received:September 15, 1977
Date transferred:September 15, 1977
The item(s) listed below have been sent to the division indicated, either to be retained or disposed of there. Any items that should receive special disposition are clearly marked.
Schomburg Library:
three (3) books by Reverend Bennett:
The Reality of God and the Interpretation of Being (1971)
The Meaning of Eternal Life (1966)
Life Behind the Walls of My Self-Made Fate (1964)
Accessioned by:S. Sharlin (Davis)
Date:September 15, 1977