James Herman Robinson papers
Scope and Contents
The papers document the public career of James Herman Robinson, an African American Presbyterian clergyman, who achieved world recognition for his work in New York’s Harlem and his accomplishments in founding Operation Crossroads Africa, which served as one of the models for the Peace Corps. The papers encompass 21.6 linear feet of correspondence, writings, reports, publications, lists, financial statements, minutes, schedules and agendas, press releases, newspaper clippings, photographs, honors and awards, programs, invitations, announcements, and miscellaneous collected items. The main strengths are the correspondence by participants in Operations Crossroads Africa and the Peace Corps, the records created by the colleagues working with Dr. Robinson, and his writings.
The papers span over almost forty years and highlight his work as a New York City Presbyterian minister, the Director of the Morningside Community Center, the founder of Operations Crossroads Africa, a former vice president of the Peace Corps, an advisor to the State Department, an author, a lecturer, a world traveler, and an adviser to Presidents Kennedy and Johnson on African and Youth Affairs. The papers are a valuable resource for the topics of African American clergy, Community Development, Operations Crossroads Africa, and the Peace Corps.
Correspondence is varied and includes letters to and from family members, educators, actors, congressmen, ambassadors, prime ministers, governors, presidents, archbishops and bishops, pastors, priests, missionaries, college students, and hometown friends. A major portion of the correspondence is with high officials of both the United States and African governments, as well as with representatives of the Presbyterian Church from throughout the world concerning the work of Operation Crossroads Africa. Main correspondents include Eugene Carson Blake, Chester H. Bowles, Kyoji Buma, Lincoln Maynard Catchings, William Sloane Coffin, William Orviklle Douglas, President Eisenhower, Harry Emerson Fosdick, President Johnson, President Kennedy, Jomo Kenyatta, Bill Myers, James Albert Pike, Robert Sargent Shriver, Jack Hood Vaughn, and G. Mennen Williams.
The papers include manuscript copies of his writings: published and unpublished articles, books, speeches, and sermons. There are also newspaper clippings and other published items about Robinson and his activities and projects. The publications collected in the Robinson papers are representative of his interests in education, Christianity, government, and Africa. The papers also includes annual reports of Operations Crossroads Africa, as well as a combination of annual, monthly, and oftentimes weekly reports of the Church of Master, Morningside Community Center, the Church of the Covenant, and the Peace Corps.
Dates
- Created: 1935-1973
- Other: Date acquired: 12/01/1974
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The James Herman Robinson papers are open and available for use.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright to these papers has not been assigned to the Amistad Research Center. It is the responsibility of an author to secure permission for publication from the holder of the copyright to any material contained in this collection.
Extent
21.60 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement Note
The James Herman Robinson papers are arranged into eight series of correspondence (1935-1972), financial records and other materials (1953-1973), minutes and lists (1949-1972), schedules and agendas (1951-1970), writings (1950-1971), collected publications and printed items (1954-1972), reports (1951-1972), news clippings and oversize materials (1935-1973).
Source of Acquisition
Gertrude Cotter Robinson
Method of Acquisition
Gift
Appraisal Information
The James Herman Robinson papers document his work as Presbyterian minister, founder of Operation Crossroads Africa, and advisor to the Peace Corps and the State Department, as well as an advisor to John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson on Africa and Youth affairs.
Accruals and Additions
An addition to the James Herman Robinson papers was received in 1980.
Other Descriptive Information
An index of correspondence is available in paper form, please contact the Reference Services Department for more information.
Processing Information
The processing of this collection was completed in November, 1974.
- Africa
- African American clergy
- Americans -- Foreign countries
- Church of the Covenant
- Church of the Master (New York, N.Y.)
- Community development
- Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
- Intercultural communication
- Morningside Community Center (New York, N.Y.)
- Operation Crossroads Africa
- Peace Corps (U.S.) -- History
- United States -- Foreign relations
- United States. Department of State. Bureau of African Affairs
- Vocational education -- Africa
Creator
- Title
- James Herman Robinson papers
- Author
- James H. Albins
- Date
- 05/17/2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- eng
Repository Details
Part of the Amistad Research Center Repository
6823 Saint Charles Avenue
Tilton Hall, Tulane University
New Orleans LA 70118 US
(504) 862-3222
research@amistadresearchcenter.org