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Preferred Citation

James Hugo Johnston, Jr. Papers, Accession number: 1963-10, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University

Biographical/Historical Information

Mr. James Hugo Johnston Jr., was born on May 10,1891 on the campus of Virginia State University in the village of Ettrick, Virginia. James Hugo Johnston Jr, was the son of James Hugo and Anna Johnston Sr. James Hugo Johnston Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father by serving on the faculty of Virginia State University; which his father James Hugo Johnston Sr., had served as the Universities second president. James Hugo Johnston Jr. married Bessie Adkins on September 24,1922 and fathered one son James Hugo Johnston III.

Mr. James Hugo Johnston Jr., studied in 1905-09 at Virginia State University until he was forced to finish his education at Virginia Union University because of the abolishment of the college program at Virginia State University. Mr. Johnston later received his B.A in 1913 from Virginia Union University; and later went on to the University of Chicago where he received his M.A in 1925 and his Ph.D. in 1937.

Mr. Johnston served as a member of the Virginia State University faculty since 1914-1961. He served as professor of history 1914 to 1920; Dean of the college 1929-1949 and 1950-1957; Acting president 1949- 1950; and Vice president 1943 ? June 30,1961.

Mr. Johnston was an aspiring man who's correspondence includes letters from William E. Dodd, Will Alexander, Luther Foster, and most influential Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The letters talk about the many problems James Hugo Johnston Jr. went through on his journey to publish his doctoral dissertation on race relations in the south "1776-1860."

James Hugo Johnston's many organizational memberships included; the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (President 1942), the American Historical association, the Virginia State University Alumni Association (treasurer) the Virginia Teachers Association, and the American Teachers Association.

James Hugo Johnston Jr., was the author of Race Relations in the South 1776-1860 and numerous Articles.

James Hugo Johnston Jr., retired from Virginia State University on July 1,1961. He later continued to work on the history of Virginia State University until he died in 1974.

Scope and Content Information

James Hugo Johnston Jr., son of the second president of Virginia State University was one of the first African Americans to receive the Ph.D. in History. James Hugo Johnston Jr., was a professor of history and government at Virginia State University from 1914 until 1961. During this time he served as Dean, Vice president and Acting president of the University.

His correspondence reflects his long career as a scholar and as well as one of the primary administrators of the University. There are quite a few interesting letters with Carter. G. Woodson regarding the publication of his Doctoral dissertation.

In the Johnston papers are correspondence from the Julius Rosenwald and Guggenheim foundations, these were organizations that James Hugo Johnston requested funds for to aid him in his Ph.D. degree. Along Mr. Johnston's process he also received letters from the Fellowship of the Social Science research Council, The university of Chicago, The general education Board, Julius Rosenwald foundation and the Guggenheim foundation.

Series Description

Series I. Correspondence The Correspondence discusses a wide range of topics. Included in this series are some correspondence from Carter G. Woodson, and other notable colleagues of James Hugo Johnston Jr.

Series II. Virginia State University National Alumni Association This series reflects Johnston's position of treasurer of the National Alumni Association. Included are ledgers, correspondence, executive committee notes, treasurers reports, printed programs and a listing of Virginia State University Alumni Association events and projects from 1931 until the 1960's.

Series III. Literary Documents used for the history of Virginia State University from 1882-1914. Which was commissioned by the school. This was never published.

Series IV. Research Research notes used by Johnston for his dissertation and history of Virginia State University.

Series V. Photographs Photograph's of family and non-family members. The photos are grouped in two sub series, which include pictures of the Johnston family, and non-family member photos.

Series VI. Printed Degrees of James Hugo Johnston Jr., and other family members from Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Shaw University and the University of Chicago. Also are copies of two Newspapers from Danville, Virginia. One of them, is The Mirror , which was African American.