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Creator
Hughes, Langston, 1902-1967
Call number
Sc MG 129
Physical description
0.63 linear feet (2 boxes)
Language
English
Preferred Citation
[Item], Langston Hughes collection : additions, Sc MG 129, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division
Access to materials
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Poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright, lyricist, and author of juvenile books, Langston Hughes was one of the most prolific African-American writers of the 20th century. Born in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes came to New York in the 1920s and joined other writers and artists in creating what would become known as the Harlem Renaissance. The Langston Hughes collection: additions consists of material in a variety of formats by and about Hughes.

Biographical/historical information

Poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright, lyricist, and author of juvenile books, Langston Hughes was one of the most prolific African-American writers of the 20th century. Born in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes came to New York in the 1920s and joined other writers and artists in creating what would become known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Scope and arrangement

The Langston Hughes collection: additions consists of material in a variety of formats by and about Hughes. His letters to Ruth Jett and Lindsay Patterson (1959-1967) include his review of the Broadway play, The Long Dream. Writings include manuscript and printed versions of his playscripts, Mulatto, Jerico-Jim Crow, and Don't You Want to Be Free?; the libretto for Simply Heavenly; the poem, "Song of Spain"; and essays. There are also translations of his poems into other languages; programs; reviews of Hughes's work; biographical material; and clippings.

One third of the collection consists of legal records held by Maxwell T. Cohen, one of Hughes's attorneys. Represented are three lawsuits filed in the mid-1960s on Hughes's behalf. One of the cases deals with a suit brought by Hughes against Gospel, Inc., and the Civic Theatre, Inc., for monies owed from a touring production of Black Nativity. The files consists primarily of letters from Cohen to William Ming, Jr., attorney for Gospel, Inc., as well as legal documents. The second lawsuit was filed in 1965 against Educational Heritage, Inc., publisher of the Negro Heritage Library. The suit charged that the defendant used Hughes's name, portrait, and alleged endorsement of Educational Heritage, Inc., in advertisements and other venues, without Hughes's consent. These files also contain correspondence and court documents.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Purchase from Lindsay Patterson, 1975; gift of letters from Ruth Jett, 1984; gift of letters from Ruth Jett and Herbert Robinson, 1992; gift of legal papers from the Estate of Maxwell Cohen, 2000; gift of script for Jerico-Jim Crow from Ellwoodson Williams, 2003; and gift of Sidney Lapidus, 2015.

Processing information

Accessioned by Derek Gray and Diana Lachatanere, August 2000.

Separated material

Transferred to the Photographs and Prints Division: photographs

Related Material

Langston Hughes collection, Sc Micro R-977, General Research and Reference Division, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

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