Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16783, Langston Hughes photograph, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from James Arsenault by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on on 3 March 2023.

Biographical / Historical

James Mercer Langston Hughes (1901-1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. One of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Through his poetry, novels, plays, essays, and children's books, he promoted equality, condemned racism and injustice, and celebrated African American culture, humor, and spirituality.

Source: "Langston Hughes." The Library of Congress.America's Story from America's library. Accessed 5/26/23 https://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/hughes/aa_hughes_subj.html

Content Description

This collection contains a single black-and-white photograph of Langston Hughes, noted American poet and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

In the picture, Hughes is surrounded by students after speaking at Harlem's Public School #113 graduation exercises which was also attended by students at James Madison High School and New York City grade school students. Mimeographed caption label with "Newspictures, Inc. ... please credit 'Acme Photo' ..." -- rubber-stamped on verso.

Caption on verso reads, "Racial Hatred Takes A Back Seat. New York City-- As Race riots flourish throughout the United States, New York's school children gathered today (June 25) to witness graduation exercises in Harlem's public school 113. Langston Hughes, noted American Poet, is mobbed by autograph hunters after speaking at the exercises, which pupils of James Madison High School and the city's grade schools attended. 6/25/43 NY Credit Line (ACME)

Related Material

Related to MSS 8870 in the Barrett collection

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• African Americans -- Photographs
• Hughes, Langston, 1902-1967
• James Arsenault and Co.
• Poets