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Creator
Morrison, Allan, 1916-1968
Call number
Sc Micro R-3537
Physical description
3 reels of microfilm (5 Boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
Allan Malcolm Morrison 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
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

Correspondence, writings, speeches, research files on notable persons and organizations, personal papers and speeches, news clippings, and printed material (chiefly political) relating to Morrison's career and interests. Includes material from his experiences as the first black correspondent for STARS AND STRIPES during World War II, and with the NEGRO WORLD DIGEST, THE PEOPLE'S VOICE, EBONY, DOWNBEAT, the Johnson Publishing Company, Symphony of the New World, and HARYOU-ACT, a Harlem youth program. Also includes writings and speeches of other authors.

Biographical/historical information

Allan Malcolm Morrison was born on November 26, 1916 and died on May 22, 1968. Morrison is most widely known for his inexhaustible work as a newsman and journalist. A man of superb wit and expansive memory he also displayed a unique expertise in the world of entertainment.

Allan Morrison appears to have been born and raised in Toronto, Canada, although an undated resume in his personal file states his birthplace as Rochester, N.Y. In 1939 Morrison moved to New York City where he, along with George Norford and W. Cummings compiled the first and last issues of the short lived Negro World Digest.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Army, rising to rank of sergeant and becoming the first Negro war correspondent of Stars and Stripes.He first joined Johnson Publications in January of 1946, in Chicago. He left to return to New York in 1947 where he edited Harlem's The People's Voice. In 1948 he became the New York editor of Ebonymagazine and later the Editorial Bureau Chief of Johnson Publishing Company. He was married to actress Ruth Attaway.

Morrison's other accomplishments include co-hosting a WLIB jazz program along with George Schuyler. He also served as Board Chairman of the New World Symphony. A widely known jazz and classical music authority, Morrison was a frequent contributor to Downbeatmagazine. Allan Morrison was also Steering Committee Chairman of Haryou Act, Inc., a massive youth program in Central Harlem.

Morrison's various assignments took him all over the world. Among his many talents and interests he was also considered a great cricket and art buff. He was honored on many occasions by organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the Overseas Press Club for his achievements in journalism as well as in the field of human relations.

Scope and arrangement

The papers of Allan Morrison, 1940-1968, have been divided into six series: Personal Papers, Correspondence, Writings and Speeches, Printed Material, Research File,and Photographs.

The Allan Malcolm Morrison papers are arranged in six series:

  • Personal Papers
    1961, Oct 14-1967, Mar. 16, n.d.

    The Personal Papers(1961-1967, n.d.) include a resume and various certificates of merit. Morrison's private address book is also a part of this file.

  • Correspondence

    The Correspondence,1940-1968, consists largely of letters to Morrison from various business associates, covering all facets of his interests and career. A number of personal letters as well as several pieces of miscellaneous general correspondence are also included.

  • Writings And Speeches

    The Writings and Speeches,1940-1967, include those by Morrison and other authors. Some writings appear to be anonymous but could have been written by Morrison. A piece of sheet music by Andres Witlay can also be found along with miscellaneous undated notes. The Armed Forces material included in this file consists mostly of Stars and Stripescorrespondence and articles. There are also a number of typescripts.

  • Printed Material

    The Printed Material,1955-1967, is comprised of press releases, reports and pamphlets, largely political in nature.

  • Research File

    The Research File,1951-1968, appears to be the result of the collection of materials by Morrison and his staff as the basis for particular stories. For the most part his subject headings have been retained, the individual folders have been arranged alphabetically, and the contents of each folder are in chronological order. The folders include printed material, newspaper clippings, and correspondence as well as some handwritten notes to and from Morrison and his associates.

  • Photographs

    The Photographsare a miscellaneous collection, dealing mostly with the entertainment industry. One folder is devoted to Cannonball Adderley. In addition, a folder of photographs devoted to cricket illustrates Morrison's avid interest in that sport. The photographs have not been microfilmed and have been transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division at the Schomburg Center.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Ruth Attaway, 1976. SCM 77-62.

Processing information

Processed by Debra Carter; machine-readable finding aid created by Apex Data Services; revised by Terry Catapano.

Separated material

The following items were removed from:

Name of Collection/PapersAllan Morrison

Accession NumberSCM 77-62 (MG 33)

Donor:Ruth Attaway

Date received:1976

Date transferred:May 15, 1978

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 cartons and one archives box of newspaper clippings and one carton of printed material and pamphlets to the Vertical File, concerning politics and race relations.

Schomburg Art and Artifacts Division:

One Harlem for Quality Education button.

Schomburg Photographs and Print Division:

One (1) box of photographs

Using the collection

Location

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801
Second Floor

Access restrictions

Researchers are restricted to microfilm copy.