Percival Bryan collection

Object Details

Biographical/Historical note
Born in Galena, St. Mary's Parish, Jamaica, Percival Bryan (1906-1996) came to the United States in 1924 as a stowaway in search of adventure and opportunity. He settled in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C., involved himself with various social and civic organizations, and was instrumental in forming the Caribbean American Inter-cultural Organization. He worked as a White House butler under Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969). Bryan also served as a chauffer for Attorney General Homer S. Cummings (1870-1956) before becoming a cab driver. An autograph collector, Mr. Bryan collected over 100,000 signatures of notable individuals.
Date
1932-1993
bulk 1942-1980
Extent
5.94 Linear feet (20 boxes)
Citation
Percival Bryan collection, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Rose Dyke.
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Photographic prints
Autograph albums
Memorabilia
Topic
African Americans
Taxicab drivers
African American neighborhoods
African American musicians
Jamaican Americans
Place
Washington (D.C.)
Identifier
ACMA.06-001
Percival Bryan collection representative image
Finding aid
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