Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mss.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/mm73048439
Collection material in English
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
The records of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters were given to the Library of Congress in 1971 by A. Philip Randolph and the brotherhood and in 1981 by the Chicago Historical Society.
The records of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters were first arranged and described by Grover Batts in 1972. Additional material received was incorporated into the collection by Audrey Walker in 1985 and this register subsequently revised by Melinda K. Friend in 1997.
Items have been transferred from the Manuscript Division to other custodial divisions of the Library. Photographs have been transferred to the Prints & Photographs Division. Sheet music has been transferred to the Music Division. All transfers are identified in these divisions as part of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Records.
In 1983, the Library received a separate collection of the papers of A. Philip Randolph. Other
records of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters can be found in the
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
The records of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Container number, Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Records, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The records of the
Part I of the records spans the years 1937-1968, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1950-1968. The records are organized into three series: General Correspondence, Subject File, and A. Philip Randolph Papers.
Although the main focus of Part I is the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the
records are dominated by the personality and activities of the organization's founder,
The General Correspondence
series contains exchanges between
Also received with Part I were papers of A. Philip Randolph which are not directly related to the brotherhood. These papers, organized by subject and type of material, constitute the last series of this original portion.
Acquired at a later date, Part II of the records of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters spans the years 1920-1968, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1950-1968. This portion of the records is organized into the Benjamin F. McLaurin Papers, the A. Philip Randolph Papers, the Ashley L. Totten Papers, Subject File, Financial Papers, and Miscellany.
The records in Part II generally cover the same time period and supplement the
correspondence and files of Part I. Although A. Philip Randolph remains the dominant individual in the
collection, files of other brotherhood officers are included in most of the series.
The Subject File in Part II
contains additional agreements between the brotherhood and the railroad companies, but
most of the files concern the participation of the union in railway and labor
organizations. The most informative material relating to the organizing activities of
the union can be found in the files pertaining to the
The papers of
The collection is arranged in two parts composed of nine series:
Part I:
Part II:
Incoming and outgoing correspondence.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization.
Bulletins, correspondence, financial papers, agreements, legal papers, memoranda, newspaper clippings, speeches, and printed matter.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, or topic.
Subject File consisting of correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, speeches, and printed matter. Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, or topic.
Miscellany consisting of articles, biographical information, family correspondence, financial papers, and speeches. Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Incoming and outgoing correspondence. Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization.
Subject File consisting of writings, biographical information, and printed matter. Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, or topic.
Incoming and outgoing correspondence. Arranged alphabetically by name of person or organization.
Speeches and writings. Arranged chronologically.
Subject File consisting of correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, speeches, and printed matter. Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, or topic.
Incoming and outgoing correspondence. Arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.
Miscellaneous material and speaking engagements. Arranged chronologically.
Correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, speeches, and printed matter.
Arranged alphabetically by name of person, organization, or topic.
Financial material consisting of correspondence, statements, and reports.
Arranged chronologically.
Press releases, newspapers, and statements from various labor unions, printed matter, and reports.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.