Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was one of the foremost African-American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery Virginia, Booker T. Washington put himself through school and became a teacher. In 1881, he founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama (now known as Tuskegee University), which focused on training African Americans in agricultural pursuits. A political adviser and writer, Washington clashed with intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois over the best avenues for racial uplift. Washington advocated for education and economic success as the first step toward racial equality rather than pushing immediately for the end of segregation and disenfrachisement.
John Carter Minkins was born in January 1869 in Virginia. He moved to Pawtucket, Rhode Island as early as 1900 and became a writer, journalist and managing editor of the
Minkins married Rosa Lerisa Jessup (1871-1945), also of Virginia, in 1894 and they had 8 daughters, 5 of whom survived to adulthood.
This collection contains just one typed letter from Booker T. Washington to John C. Minkins dated November 2, 1907 on letterhead of The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, with an autograph signature of Booker T. Washington.
Transcription of the letter:
Mr. John C. Minkins, Box 1100, Providence, Rhode Island My dear Sir:- Your letter of some days ago, which I am just getting opportunity to acknowledge, conveys rather surprising information which I am very glad to have. So far as I am informed you are the only colored man in the country holding the managing editorship of a white daily, and this is recognition which is in a high degree encouraging. I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting you at some time when I am in the North.
I am very glad to learn that you have read my talks to our students in the Chapel, which have been published in The Student, with interest. I am having your name and address properly entered upon the mailing list of the paper and hope it will continue to reach you regularly and be found of interest.
Yours truly, Booker T. Washington (autograph signature)
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There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
This collection contains one letter.
Booker T. Washington letter, Ms.2014.021, Brown University Library.
Gift of the Estate of Beatrice Carter Minkins (daughter of John C. Minkins) in 2014.
Transcription of the letter:
Mr. John C. Minkins, Box 1100, Providence, Rhode Island My dear Sir:- Your letter of some days ago, which I am just getting opportunity to acknowledge, conveys rather surprising information which I am very glad to have. So far as I am informed you are the only colored man in the country holding the managing editorship of a white daily, and this is recognition which is in a high degree encouraging. I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting you at some time when I am in the North.
I am very glad to learn that you have read my talks to our students in the Chapel, which have been published in The Student, with interest. I am having your name and address properly entered upon the mailing list of the paper and hope it will continue to reach you regularly and be found of interest.
Yours truly, Booker T. Washington (autograph signature)