Research Catalog

John Steptoe Papers

Title
John Steptoe Papers, 1877-1991 (bulk 1969-1989)
Author
Steptoe, John, 1950-1989.
Supplementary Content
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9 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 1Mixed materialRestricted use Sc MG 416 Box 1Offsite
Box 2Mixed materialRestricted use Sc MG 416 Box 2Offsite
Box 3Mixed materialRestricted use Sc MG 416 Box 3Offsite
Box 4Mixed materialRequest in advance Sc MG 416 Box 4Offsite
Box 5Mixed materialRequest in advance Sc MG 416 Box 5Offsite
Box 6Mixed materialRequest in advance Sc MG 416 Box 6Offsite
Box 7Mixed materialRequest in advance Sc MG 416 Box 7Offsite
Box 8Mixed materialRequest in advance Sc MG 416 Box 8Offsite
Box 9Mixed materialRequest in advance Sc MG 416 Box 9Offsite

Details

Description
3.2 lin. ft.
Summary
  • The John Steptoe Papers consist of personal papers, personal and professional correspondence, examples of his writings, reviews of his work, news clippings and programs regarding his seminars and lectures, and material from various organizations to which he belonged.
  • The collection also contains manuscripts, rough drafts, outlines, editor's proofs, galleys of some of his books, and early drawings. Reviews discuss both his books and illustrations. Of particular interest is a group of drawings done by young children in Brooklyn entitled "Impressions of Stevie," which illustrate their feelings about his first book, "Stevie." The lectures and seminars in which he participated are documented by news clippings, programs, correspondence and notes. Additionally, there is printed material from organizations to which Steptoe belonged.
Subjects
Genre/Form
Drawings.
Note
  • Photographs separated to Photographs and Prints Division.
Access (note)
  • Pamela Knicely-John Steptoe correspondence closed until December 31, 1996.
Source (note)
  • Steptoe Family (Ann A. White, Executrix)
Biography (note)
  • John Lewis Steptoe, the first prolific African-American author and illustrator of children's books, wrote books about African-American children enabling them to identify with characters and environments that previous children's stories ignored.
Processing Action (note)
  • Partially processed
  • Cataloged
  • Fully processed
Call Number
Sc MG 416
OCLC
NYPW93-A136
Author
Steptoe, John, 1950-1989.
Title
John Steptoe Papers, 1877-1991 (bulk 1969-1989)
Access
Pamela Knicely-John Steptoe correspondence closed until December 31, 1996.
Biography
John Lewis Steptoe, the first prolific African-American author and illustrator of children's books, wrote books about African-American children enabling them to identify with characters and environments that previous children's stories ignored. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, he attended the Manhattan High School of Art and Design, and studied with artist Norman Lewis in the HARYOU Act art program. Harper and Row published his first children's book, "Stevie" (1969), which was followed by "Uptown" (1970), "Train Ride" (1971), "Birthday" (1972), and "My Special Best Words" (1974). His first novel, "Marcia" appeared in 1976, and he later wrote "Daddy is a Monster Sometimes" (1980). He illustrated and retold a Native American legend, "The Story of Jumping Mouse" (1984), wrote a Zimbabwean Cinderella story, "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" (1977) and wrote his last book "Baby Says" in 1988.
Among the books Steptoe illustrated which were written by other authors were "All Us Come Cross the Water" by Lucille Clifton, "OUTside/INside Poems" by Adoff Arnold and "She Come Bringing Me That Little Baby Girl" by Eloise Greenfield. For his work Steptoe received many honors and awards. Throughout his career, he lectured at universities across the country. Occasionally he exhibited his illustrations at museums and libraries. Steptoe died in 1989 of HIV related complications.
Finding Aids
Finding aid available in repository.
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Finding Aid
Research Call Number
Sc MG 416
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