Research Catalog

Title

Earl Brown papers, 1934-1976.

Author

Brown, Earl, 1903-1980.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

.7 lin. ft. (1 archival box, 1 print box)

Summary

• The Earl Brown Papers document aspects of his journalistic and political career and include correspondence files, 1934-1960, containing critiques of Brown's articles, responses to article proposals, letters requesting Brown to serve on committees, telegrams concerning meeting schedules, letters (1957) related to revisions of U.S. Senate Rule 22 (which pertains to breaking a filibuster), and minutes of committee meetings. Some of the correspondents are New York state elected officials Lieutenant Governor Charles Polletti, Senator Robert F. Wagner, Governor Herbert Lehman and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Organizations include the National Democratic Committee, Council for Democracy and the National Urban League.
• Brown's writings consist of drafts of his memoirs and observations as a public official including discussions about the way African Americans have voted in New York city and state elections (1970s), in addition to a commencement address (1952), and copies of his published articles. Also included are copies of legislation sponsored by Brown as a City councilman (1950-1952), certificates, and a scrapbook of news clippings documenting Brown's political activities, 1949-1961.

Subjects

• Brown, Earl, 1903-1980
• New York (N.Y.) > Politics and government
• African American journalists
• Wagner, Robert F (Robert Ferdinand), 1877-1953
• African American legislators
• Politicians > New York (State) > New York
• United States > Race relations
• Lehman, Herbert H (Herbert Henry), 1878-1963
• African American politicians
• Poletti, Charles, 1903-2002
• Black author
• Powell, Adam Clayton, Jr., 1908-1972
• Scrapbooks
• Speeches
• Voting > New York (State) > New York
• Harlem (New York, N.Y.)
• Discrimination in housing > New York (State) > New York

Genre/Form

• Scrapbooks.
• Speeches.

Note

• Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.

Source (note)

• Emma Mosley Brown

Biography (note)

• African-American journalist and Harlem politician, Earl Brown was a graduate of Harvard University (1929) worked for the "Amsterdam News," "Life," and "Time" magazines before entering politics. In 1949 while employed as and editor at "Time" magazine, he accepted Tammany Hall's request to run against the incumbent Benjamin Davis for New York City Council. Brown defeated Davis, a Communist Party candidate, and was elected to the seat. During his tenure as Councilman (1949-1961), Brown investigated police corruption and brutality, co-sponsored legislation to end discrimination in housing, and headed a special committee on the use of narcotics in New York City. In 1958 he attempted to unseat Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and lost. In 1961 he left the Council to become a member of the City's Housing and Redevelopment Board. Two years later Brown was named Acting Manhattan Borough President, and in 1965 was appointed the first paid chairman of the City's Commission on Human Rights, retiring a short time later.

Call Number

Sc MG 254

OCLC

433591070

Author

Brown, Earl, 1903-1980.

Title

Earl Brown papers, 1934-1976.

Biography

African-American journalist and Harlem politician, Earl Brown was a graduate of Harvard University (1929) worked for the "Amsterdam News," "Life," and "Time" magazines before entering politics. In 1949 while employed as and editor at "Time" magazine, he accepted Tammany Hall's request to run against the incumbent Benjamin Davis for New York City Council. Brown defeated Davis, a Communist Party candidate, and was elected to the seat. During his tenure as Councilman (1949-1961), Brown investigated police corruption and brutality, co-sponsored legislation to end discrimination in housing, and headed a special committee on the use of narcotics in New York City. In 1958 he attempted to unseat Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and lost. In 1961 he left the Council to become a member of the City's Housing and Redevelopment Board. Two years later Brown was named Acting Manhattan Borough President, and in 1965 was appointed the first paid chairman of the City's Commission on Human Rights, retiring a short time later.

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Local Subject

Black author.

Research Call Number

Sc MG 254