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Biographical

Object Details

Date
1961-2004
Extent
0.17 Linear feet (This series is comprised of a typed oral history interview with Dr. H. Rhett James, on December 21, 2002, for the Dallas Public Library's Oral History Project (Box 1/Folder 1), and a typed C.V. (Box 1/Folder 2). Newsletters, booklets, certificates, visitor passes, and card invitations form the mediums for other biographical information.)
Type
Archival materials
Collection Rights
Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
Collection Citation
Rev. H. Rhett James papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Gregory James.
Identifier
ACMA.06-037, Series 1

Related Content

1 result(s)
  • Rev. H. Rhett James papers
    Scope and Contents note
    The Reverend H. Rhett James papers, which date from 1961 to 2004, document the personal and professional life of Reverend H. Rhett James. Very notable are the letters and correspondence between Reverend H. Rhett James and the United States of America President, Lyndon B. Johnson, and his cabinet. The papers include an oral history, a C.V., letters and correspondence, awards, black-and-white photographs, books, clippings. color photographs, ephemera, invitations, newsletters, photographic prints, signatures, audio cassettes, and videocassettes.
    Biographical/Historical note
    Reverend H. Rhett James was an ardent pastor,African-American educator, and community activist, who played a role in Dallas and the larger Texas community during the Civil Rights era. Reverend H. Rhett James (1928-2004) was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 1, 1928. He received his early education in the public schools of Topeka, Kansas, Nashville, Tennessee and San Antonio, Texas, he enrolled at Virginia Union University, Richomond Virginia. Upon graduation (Bachelor's 1950), he accepted a teaching position in San Antonio, and became the first African American to receive the Masters of Education Degree from Our Lady of the Lake College (1951). Returning to his Alma Mater, Virginia Union, he taught in the Department of Education and Psychology and received his Masters of Divinty Degree (1958). Moving to Dallas to accept the pastorate of New Hope Baptist church, he enrolled in the Brite College, T.C.U. and became the first African American to receive the Masters of Theology Degree (1961). He rceived his Ph.D. degree in Urban Administration frm the University of Texas at Arlingotn (1981). He served as pastor of New Hope Baptist church until his retirement in 1986. As a political and community activist, he headed scores of local organizations working for desegregation and human rights causes. He headed the N.A.A.C.P through severe local desegregation and human rights causes; founder and twelve year Board President of the Dallas O.I.C. (Opportunities Industrialization Center); the first black president of the Dallas War on Poverty (DCCAC); founding Board member of the Dallas Urban League and Board and Budget committee member for the Dallas United Way, ACLU, Southern Historical Association, UNCF and YMCA boards. Rverend H. Rhett James died on March 14, 2004. He left one daughter and three sons.
    Date
    circa 1961-2004
    Extent
    1.18 Linear feet (3 boxes)
    Rights
    Use of the materials requires an appointment. Please contact the archivist to make an appointment: ACMarchives@si.edu.
    Citation
    Rev. H. Rhett James papers, Anacostia Community Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Gregory James.
    Type
    Collection descriptions
    Archival materials
    Color photographs
    Newsletters
    Audiocassettes
    Books
    Photographic prints
    Oral histories (document genres)
    Awards
    Signatures (names)
    Videocassettes
    Resumes
    Ephemera
    Invitations
    Correspondence
    Clippings
    Topic
    African Americans -- Education
    African American religious leaders
    African American political activists
    Race relations
    Discrimination in employment
    African Americans -- Employment
    School integration
    Civil rights
    Place
    Dallas (Tex.)
    Identifier
    ACMA.06-037
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