5

FISK UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE 8, TENNESSEE

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

January 13, 1947

Dear Mr. Hughes:

You are cordially invited to Fisk University's Eighteenth Annual Festival of Music and Art, April 23, 24, 25, and 26, 1947. Mr. Carl Van Vechten and others are most desirous that you receive a personal invitation.

This year's Festival will feature concerts of contemporary American music; the formal opening of the George Gershwin Memorial Collection of Music and Musical Literature, founded by Carl Van Vechten; the opera, MADAME BUTTERFLY; an art exhibit; a dance program; a production of ROMEO AND JULIET by the Stagecrafters; and two series of seminars: one on Art, Literature and Music arranged by the Humanities Institute and the other on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations, arranged by the Institute of Social Sciences.

Philippa Duke Schuyler, talented young composer and pianist, will be presented in concert on April 24. She will perform some of her own compositions and works by other contemporary American composers.

The George Gershwin Memorial Collection of Music and Musical Literature will be opened with fitting ceremonies on Friday afternoon, April 25. Mr. Van Vechten will be present as will other distinguished guests who have made contributions to what is considered one of the best collections of music and musical literature in the South.

Works of Marc Blitzstein, Virgil Thomson, John W. Work, William Grant Still, Aaron Copland, William Schuman, and other American composers of our day will be featured Friday evening in a concert consisting of music for one and two pianos, chamber music, vocal solos and choral music. Blitzstein, Thomson and Work will be special guests on this occasion.

MADAME BUTTERFLY will be given Wednesday evening, April 23. This is the fourth opera to be performed by students of Fisk University in as many years.

The annual Festival Choral Concert by the 100 voices of the Fisk University Choir will be Saturday evening, April 26. The program will consist of three major contemporary works for chorus.

Our enjoyment of the Eighteenth Festival will be heightened by your presence. Officials of the University will be pleased to assist in obtaining hotel reservations if you will indicate your wishes not later than March 1. We hope you will be able to come.

Sincerely yours,

A. A. Taylor, Dean
For the Interim Administrative Committee

Mr. Langston Hughes
634 St. Nicholas Avenue
Apartment 1 D
New York 30, New York

70 BROADWAY
NEW YORK CITY

February 27, 1947

Mr. Langston Hughes
634 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Fisk University has been offered a gift of a half million dollars if the friends of Negro education will give a like amount during the next fifteen months.

I wonder if you would be able and willing to make a subscription toward this fund. Whatever you can give will be matched by this other offer. I am enclosing a leaflet which will, I hope, interest you.

Those of us who know Fisk and its President-Elect, Dr. Charles S. Johnson (Fisk's first Negro president) promise you that any such investment which you may make in Negro education will bring rich returns to our American democracy and culture.

I sincerely hope you can help. With appreciation,

Enclosures
Blue Leaflet
Subscription Card
Return Envelope

FISK UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE 8, TENNESSEE

Office of Public Relations
Theodore O. Yoder, Director
Telephone 6-7910

April 22, 1947

Mr Langston Hughes
c/o Mr and Mrs Arna Bontemps
923 18th Avenue North
Nashville 8, Tennessee

Dear Mr Hughes:

On behalf of the Festival Committee and the Ad-
ministration of Fisk University I welcome you to Nashville.

We are enclosing herewith tickets for various
events which will take place during the time we understand
you expect to be with us. If there are any changes or if
we have the wrong information please communicate with us at
your earliest convenience. We shall do our best to satisfy
your desires. The return of any tickets you may not be able
to use will be appreciated since we expect a full house for
each event.

It is our hope that you will enjoy every minute
of your visit and we want to make it something you will long
remember and always recall with pleasure. Please call on us
for any assistance you may need.

TOY b

15

RACE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION

FISK UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE 9, TENNESSEE

CHARLES S. JOHNSON, DIRECTOR

HERMAN H. LONG, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

December 18, 1947

Mr. Langston Hughes
634 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York 30, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Because of its importance to the struggle against
restrictive covenants, I am sending for possible review a copy of
People vs. Property. This is the first comprehensive approach to
the problems of racially restrictive covenants in housing, and
its timeliness is of course greatly enhanced by the fact that the
Supreme Court has before it the whole question of the legality
of such covenants.

Of greatest importance to the public at large is the
convincing demonstration that covenants and the segregates slums they
create breed race tensions and race riots. Some of the stories of the
brutal attacks upon respectable Negro families who have dared to move
outside the slums are very moving evidence of the importance of the
whole question of segregation.

As you know, the authors, Herman H. Long and Charles
S. Johnson, are associate director and director of the Race Rela-
tions Department of the American Missionary Association. Mr. Long
carried out most of the several years' research work behind this
volume, though working closely with Dr. Johnson. The latter is
one of the U.S. delegates to UNESCO, president of Fisk University,
and distinguished author of many works in the general field of
sociology and social problems.

The book is priced at $1.00 in paper binding and
$1.50 in cloth.

We would of course be glad to receive a copy of any
review which you might have published.

RACE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION DIVISION
BOARD OF HOME MISSIONS, CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

FISK UNIVERSITY OFFICE
NASHVILLE 8, TENNESSEE

HERMAN H. LONG, DIRECTOR

JEANNETTE HARRIS
EDUCATION AND PROMOTION

July 15, 1949

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127 Street
New York 35, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

May we have your permission to use one of your poems as the text
for a Christmas card which our Department plans to print and dis-
tribute this year?

The poem we have in mind is:

I dream a world where man
No other man will scorn,
Where love will bless the earth,
And peace its path adorn.

The design for the card, contributed by Rockwell Kent, is a picture
of a group of cheerful, sturdy children - of various ethnic back-
grounds - dancing around a Christmas tree. At this time, we only
have the original in the office, otherwise I would gladly send you
a copy. But I can assure you that it's a very refreshing picture,
extremely appropriate to the thought of your poem.

The cards will be sold to community organizations, church groups and individuals as part of our public education program in human relations. Since they are due to go to press within the next few weeks, may we hear from you in the near future on this request?

We will appreciate your consideration.

JH:er

July 18, 1949

Miss Jeannette Harris,
Race Relations Department,
American Missionary Association,
Fisk University,
Nashville 8, Tennessee.

Dear Miss Harris,

In answer to your letter of July 15, I would be delighted to have you
use my poem, "I Dream A World", on your Association Christmas cards,
and I hereby give you my personal permission, and trust that you will
send me a couple of dozen or so for my own use.

However, you must also secure the permission of Leeds Music Corporation,
RKO Building, Radio City, New York 20, New York, as the poem is an aria
from the opera, "Troubled Island" with music by William Grant Still as
produced at the New York City Center this past winter. The music and the
libretto are published by Leeds.

In the libretto the poem appears in a slightly different (singing) version. On the Christmas cards kindly use the reading version as enclosed herein. Meanwhile, I shall communicate with Leeds and request them to grant you permission promptly as soon as they receive your request.

December 10, 1949

Race Relations Department
American Missionary Association
Fisk University
Nashville 8, Tennessee

Gentlemen:

This is to acknowledge the box of Christmas cards which
you were kind enough to send to me. I had meant to write
and thank you for them earlier than this, but I have been
terribly busy the last few weeks putting the finishing
touches on a new book for Simon and Schuster, along with
other activities, and I just haven't had time.

I like the cards very much and would like to have more
of them. Could you possibly send me four (4) dozens more
as soon as possible. Please let me know the cost and I
will mail you my check.

Thank you in advance.

LH/nwv

December 12, 1950

Miss Isolde Henneger
International Student Center
Fisk University
Nashville 8, Tennessee

Dear Miss Henneger:

I have recently completed a Book Week tour of the colleges of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, reading my poems at Virginia State College, Coppin State Teachers College, Livingstone College, and Johnson C. Smith, as well as several other campuses and high schools from Baltimore to Charlotte.

During Negro History Week I shall again be in the South and, should you care to have me visit your student body, I would be happy to do so. I remember past visits to your community with pleasure.

According to my schedule at the moment, Thursday or Friday, February 15th or 16th would most conveniently fit into my itinerary, but it might be possible to arrange a slightly earlier or slightly later date if neither of these days seem feasible to you. My in transit fee this season for a program is $100.00.

My new book of poems, MONTAGE OF A DREAM DEFERRED, will be appearing in February. I shall include on my program new poems from this volume as well as selections suitable to Negro History Week. Since I can be away from New York for only ten days and my schedule is already rapidly being filled in, I would appreciate hearing from you shortly should you desire an appearance before your student body.

With very best regards and all good wishes, I am

LH/nvw

Enclosure

December 27, 1950

Miss Isolde A. Henninger
The International Student Center
Fisk University
Nashville 8, Tennessee

Dear Miss Henninger:

Thank you very much for your letter of December 20th. I am delighted to confirm an engagement for the International Student Center at Fisk University on Thursday, February 15th, 1951, the fee, as stated in my former letter, to be $100.00. Would you kindly let me know the hour of the program.

I usually stay with Mr. & Mrs. Arna Bontemps when at Fisk so I do not believe you need make any other arrangements for me in that regard as I am writing Mr. Bontemps that I will be there on that date.

Under separate cover I am sending you photographs and publicity material. I am happy to be coming to Fisk again.

Usually there are persons at my programs who wish to secure autographed copies of my books so, with your permission, I shall ask my publishers to send a dozen or so ahead of me, both of my poems and my latest book, SIMPLE SPEAKS HIS MIND. I think I shall also have a few copies of my forthcoming volume of poems, due out in February, MONTAGE OF A DREAM DEFERRED.

I am sending you copies of various of my songs in case you might care to have one or two of them sung on the program since I know you have an excellent music department at Fisk. This is not at all necessary, but if you do happen to wish to have music, it should be before or after my reading, or at both spots. In any case, you may give the music to students or teachers who might like to have it.

With all good wishes to you for a Happy New Year,

Sincerely yours,

LH/nvw

LANGSTON HUGHES

FISK UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE 8. TENNESSEE

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTER

June 22, 1951

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, 35, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

In clearing out the baskets for the summer vacation, I discover that unfortunately your letter of March 21 was pushed aside and completely neglected. Please do forgive me.

The box of books showed up around March first although they had been postmarked February 1. Finally, we did manage to get them returned to you c/o Henry Holt. I hope that you were finally credited with them.

We made every effort to obtain clippings of your appearances here but it was impossible. Our publicity office had only single copies and the newspapers themselves had no extra copies available. That is quite unusual in my experience. Here at the Center beyond the monthly calendar, which I am enclosing, large posters and a small announcement we did no further notices of your appearance. As you remember, further word was quite unnecessary. Where would we have put them?

Your visit was indeed a pleasure and everyone would like to see and hear you again when you come this way. I do hope that you received proper credit for the box of books.

February 3, 1951

Dear Miss Henninger,

Thank you for your letter of January 28th. I shall be delighted to read my poems in the Center as I remember it as a very pleasant room indeed. And I am glad there will be some songs.

I'll be arriving the night before and stopping, as I believe I told you, with the Arna Bontemps. I must leave Nashville on Friday morning for Huntsville. Since I am leaving for New Orleans tomorrow, I am dropping you this note well ahead.

I hope the rail embargo won't prevent my books from reaching you, being sent directly from the publishers.

Until I see you then,

September 29, 1952

Miss Mary Thompson,
International Student Center,
Fisk University,
Nashville, Tennessee.

Dear Miss Thompson,

Just today a note has come from Lane College,
Jackson, Tennessee, confirming my appearing
there for Vespers on Sunday, November 2nd, so
I regret that date is no longer available for
Fisk as I wrote Miss Henniger recently.

The only open date left now when I might stop
at Fisk would be Monday, November 3, leaving
by plane late that night or early next morning,
since I want to be home in Harlem to vote on
the 4th.

38

October 3, 1952

Miss Mary A. Thompson,
International Student Center,
Fisk University,
Nashville 8, Tennessee.

Dear Miss Thompson,

I shall be delighted to come to Fisk on the evening of Monday, November 3. It will be a pleasure to again return to the International Student Center. I will be coming from Lane College at Jackson where I give a program on Sunday, probably arriving at Nashville on Monday afternoon. I will remain at Fisk overnight on Monday, flying on to New York the next day. I will let you know my exact arrival time from Jackson shortly. Usually when at Fisk I stay with the Bontemps. Mr. Bontemps will be in New York this week-end so I'll work that out.

Do you suppose John Work's choral group would again sing my AFRICAN AME AFRICAINE which Mr. Work has so charmingly set to music? They did it on my program last time I was at Fisk. There may be music before and after my part of the program, if you wish.

Under separate cover I am sending you pictures and a publicity sheet.
I leave New York to begin my lecture tour on October 12th, in case you
should need to write me further.

Sincerely yours,

39

On tour,
New Orleans, La.,
October 28, 1952.

Dear Miss Thompson,

I expect to arrive Nashville on Monday, November 3rd, on
the N.C. & St. L. railroad from Jackson, Tennessee, at
1 P. M. and am so advising my host, Arna Boontemps. I
shall have to leave on Tuesday morning for New York.

Did I tell you that when I spoke on a seminar for foreign
students at International House in New York just before
leaving, several persons there spoke of you when I told
them I was coming to Fisk?

Looking forward to seeing you on Monday, I am

October 20, 1953

Miss Jane Hunter,
Nat. Phillis Wheatley Asc.,
2170 East 46th Street,
Cleveland 3, Ohio.

Dear Jane Hunter,

Arna Bontemps tells me that the Fisk drama
play
group is looking for a/on some phase of our
life or history to present, so perhaps you
would like to have them consider the drama
about Phillis. The person to address is:

Dr. Lillian Voorhees, Dirc.,
The Stagecrafters,
Fisk University,
Nashville 8, Tennessee.

With very best regards to you, as ever,

April 18, 1955

Miss Mary T. Luins,
Office of Publicity,
Fisk University,
Nashville 8, Tenn.

Dear Miss Luins,

Thank you very much indeed for so promptly sending
me photos of the Fisk Jubilee Singers—which I
hope I may keep for possible future use.

But the one I really wish for the book, FAMOUS
AMERICA MUSIC MAKERS, which Dodd, Mead is sending
to press very shortly for fall publication, is the
actual photograph of the original group (NOT the
painting) as reproduced at the back of 26th Annual
Festival of Music and Art Program, April 2—23, 1949.
It is also found on page 2 of the phamplet, THE STORY
OF THE JUBILEE SINGERS by C. Robert Tipton as reprinted
by Fisk from the nov. 1947 issue of the MISSIONARY
HERALD. I think this actual photograph would reproduce
better than the picture of the old painting would for
our book. So I'd appreciate it immensely if you could
airmail me a glossy of it, since time is rather short.

Thank you so very much for all your trouble, and for
your kind note. Your office will, of course, get a
copy of the book when it comes out.

With very best regards,

October 26, 1956

American Missionary Association,
Race Relations Department,
Fisk University,
Nashville 8, Tennessee.

Gentlemen:

Enclosed find my check for $6.75 for which
please send me 50 of your Christmas cards
No. 1, and 50 of No. 4.

RADIO CITY
STATION

March 17, 1958

Mr. Arthur Byler, Chairman
Festival Committee
Fisk University
Nashville 8, Tenn.

Dear Mr. Byler:

Thank you very much for your kind letter of March 5th confirming arrangements for my appearance at the Festival of Music and Art on Friday, April 25th, at 10 A. M. I am delighted to be coming again to Fisk as I have enjoyed many pleasant appearances there in the past. I would like to stay through the evening of April 26th for the inauguration of Dr. Wright and for Maidie Norman's program.

I have recently been doing some interesting readings of poetry to jazz and I told Mr. Bontemps I would be willing to give such a program there for the students without extra charge, perhaps on the afternoon or evening of April 24th if there is a free period for it and if a student jazz groups would like to experiment with such a program. This, of course, is purely optional and I only suggest it because it might be something new and interesting to the young people on your campus. We would need an hour or so of rehearsal before the performance.

Under separate cover I am sending you publicity material and photographs.

April 1, 1958

Dear Mr. Banks,

I expect to be arriving Nashville on
Wednesday, April 23rd, and can rehearse
with you anytime after the Convocation on
Thursday, or anytime Friday that you wish,
for our program on Saturday. A couple of
hours should be enough, or more if you
like......Under separate cover by regular
post, I am sending you the three sequences
of poems I expect to use. Between poems
there can be plenty of space for music---
and between sequences I'll go off stage for
two or three minuets, so several jazz choruses
can be played then. The suggestions typed
on the right margins of the poems are only
suggestions. You may have better ideas, so
feel free to use your own thoughts, too....I
am off to the Coast this weekend, so until
I see you,

Sincerely,

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

FISK UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE 8, TENNESSEE

52

VIA AIR MAIL

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, New York

April 7, 1958

Dear Mr. Byler:

Your letter catches me just as I am about to fly to Hollywood tonight for 2 weeks, returning by way of Fisk.

POETRY AND JAZZ is OK. for the Saturday seminar, and I've sent Mr. Banks the poems, also via Arna Bontemps, a recent MGM recording I've made of the New York jazz-poetry programs.

For the Convocation, I think WE HAVE TOMORROW might be a good title, since I plan to read mostly inspirational poetry.

I look forward to seeing you by April 23rd.

With cordial regards,

FISK UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE 8, TENNESSEE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

June 4, 1958

Dear Langston:

Thanks very much for sending me your release on New Sub-
ject for College Theses. I think that it is a very suggestive and pro-
vocative statement and I hope that it will produce some results. There
is a growing interest in American sociology in studying religion, which
I feel is an outcome of our increasing revivalism in America.

We have some interesting historical materials which you might like
to know about. One of these is a source document called God Struck Me
Dead, which is an account of a number of religious conversions. Another
interesting study which we made sometime ago was the study of the Negro
folk minister and his sermons in Nashville. This was a Master's thesis
done by a girl name Alice Marie Jones. Her brother, Dr. Lewis Jones of
Tuskegee Institute, is a sociologist and has also been interested in
this type of material. The late Dr. Nelson Palmer who died after leaving
here to go to Howard and Hampton to teach, was also interested in this
type of material and wrote some interesting articles, one of which was
entitled "Father Divine Is God." I say all this primarily to indicate that
there is some beginning points in such a study as you propose although
there is nothing, as far as I know, that is as systematic and comprehensive
as you suggest.

I wish that something could be done along the lines which you mentioned,
and while I shall be on leave myself next year, I will bring it to the atten-
tion of members of my department in order that they might consider it when
they begin planning Master's theses for students. Incidentally, you might
be interested in the enclosed list of suggested term paper topics which I have
been giving to my students for the past several years and on which many of
them have written term papers. I call your attention particularly to
number 20.

With kindest best wishes,

PV/mwd

Enclosure

NEGRO IN AMERICA

Sociology 257

Suggested Term Paper Topics

1. The Negro As an Office-Holder in State and Local Politics, since 1950

2. Racial Patterns Between 1943 and 1948 (Monthly Summary)

a. The Pattern of Racial Violence

b. Racial Problems in Labor and Industry

c. Racial Problems in Transportation

d. Racial Problems in Housing, Health and Welfare

e. Race Relations and Religious Organizations

f. The Status of Japanese-Americans

3. The Editorial Policy of the Negro Press with Respect to International Affairs

4. The Church and Racial Segregation in the United States and in South Africa

5. Desegregation in Higher Education and The Role and Future of the Negro College

6. The Negro in Business and Finance

7. The Social Class Structure of American Negroes

8. Racial Integration in Higher Education in the South since 1938

9. Racial Status and the Personality Development of Negroes

10. The Negro Church and Social Action

11. Some Sociological Implications of Advertisements Appearing in Negro Newspapers

12. A Comparison of the Racial Ideology of South Africa and of the Deep South of the United States

13. A Comparison of the Status of Harijaans of India and Negroes in the "Deep South" of the United States

14. A Comparison of the Status of the Negro in Brazil and in the United States

15. The Negro as a Consumer Market

16. Case Studies of Negro Leadership in Local Communities

Term Paper Topics—2

17. Case Studies of Negroes in "Unusual Occupations" - Sociological Implications

18. The Negro and the Labor Unions Since 1950

19. Demographic Characteristics of Places Which Initiated Public School Desegregation After May, 1954

20. The Racial Philosophy and Social Role of Father Divine and/or Daddy Grace

21. Changes in the Health Status of the American Negro

22. The Development of Racial Attitudes in Young Children

23. The Negro in the Armed Forces

24. Some Aspects of Recent Negro Migration

25. Race Relations As a Factor in American International Relations

26. A Comparative Analysis of Articles on the Negro Contained in the Encyclopædia Britannica and Two Other Encyclopedias

27. Sociological Aspects of Negro Housing

28. The Present Day Racial Ideology of Southern White Liberals

29. Race Relations as The Federal Courts

30. The Negro in American Agriculture

31. A Sociological Analysis of the Civil Rights Debate in Congress

32. Patterns of Desegregation in the South in Education, Transportation, etc.

33. Some Aspects of Race Relations in the North and West

34. The Negro in Politics

35. An Analysis of the Nature of Resistance Groups in the South

58

June 7, 1958

Dr. Preston Valien,
Fisk University,
Nashville 8, Tenn.

Dear Preston:

Thanks a lot for your letter with its
interesting information and your comments
on my theses idea. I hope somebody will
do a real study of what makes those cult
leaders tick and why they appeal to so many
people.

I'm going to keep the list you sent me on
fieR, in case I come across interested
students, also your letter, if they're
looking for comparative material.

I know the Fisk studies you mention, in
fact have 3 of them. Most valuable.

With cordial regards ever,

August 27, 1962

Miss Florence Booker
Arlington County Public Schools
1426 North Quincy Street
Arlington 10, Virginia

Dear Miss Booker:

Mr. Matthew Kennedy, Director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, has asked me to reply to your letter of August 21, but I believe Mr. Langston Hughes can answer your question better. His address is 20 East 127th Street, New York 35, New York. Neither Mr. Kennedy nor I have any information on Paul Fetler.

AB a

FISK UNIVERSITY
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

PURCHASE ORDER

October 22, 1962

TO

Langston Hughes
20 East 127th. Street
New York 35, New York

MARK EVERY PACKAGE EXACTLY AS SHOWN
IN THIS RECTANGLE

<table><tr><td colspan="2">FISK UNIVERSITY<br/>NASHVILLE, TENN.</td></tr><tr><td>Library</td><td>DEPT.</td></tr><tr><td>Nº</td><td>3476</td></tr></table>

PLEASE SHIP THE FOLLOWING:

ACCOUNT E-1707

<table><thead><tr><th>QUANTITY</th><th></th><th>UNIT PRICE</th><th>AMOUNT</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2</td><td>GYPSY BALLADS (Lorca)</td><td>1.00</td><td>2.00</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>MONTAGE OF A DREAM DEFERRED</td><td>12.50</td><td>12.50</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>NEGRO MOTHER</td><td>.50</td><td>.50</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>ONE WAY TICKET</td><td>6.00</td><td>6.00</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>TROUBLED ISLAND</td><td>.50</td><td>.50</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>LINCOLN UNIVERSITY POETS</td><td>3.00</td><td>3.00</td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">(All by Langston Hughes)</td></tr></tbody></table>

DIRECTIONS AND CONDITIONS

Total: $24.50

1. Mark packages exactly as shown in rectangle at top of this sheet.

2. Place order number on all invoices and packages.

3. Send invoices IN DUPLICATE.

4. Render invoices covering this order only.

5. Send invoices to Comptroller's office on day of shipment, together with Bills of Lading or Shipping Memorandum.

6. No charges are allowed for boxing or crosing unless previously arranged.

7. Vendor agrees to protect and save harmless vendee in any action arising out of patent infringement.

FISK UNIVERSITY

COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE

COMPTROLLER

FISK UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE 8. TENNESSEE

November 26, 1963

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 E. 127th Street
New York 35, New York

Dear Mr. Hughes:

This letter is a follow-up of Arna Bontemps' phone call to you of last week. But it is hard to get back to work—even when the task, in this case, is the pleasant one of inviting you to spend some time with us at Fisk in January. For we are so much older now than we were a week ago; and the American people have finally and, shall we hope, irretrievably, lost their innocence.

As Mr. Bontemps indicated to you, we would be delighted if you could give the address at our Honors Dinner on Wednesday evening, January 8th, and a Convocation address the following morning. The dinner will be attended by about eighty of our ablest students and by members of the Faculty Honors Council and of the Administration; the Convocation will be an all-university affair, in which some 1000 students and faculty, as well as a goodly number of town people, will be in attendance.

I shall not presume to suggest topics for either of the occasions. We are interested in your being here; whatever subjects you care to discuss, whatever works of yours you wish to read, these things are of course up to you. If, on the other hand, I can be of any help, so far as explaining the nature and the purpose of the Dinner and of the Convocation, please let me know.

I know the three hundred dollars, which I believe Arna mentioned to you on the phone, involves a very modest honorarium after plane fare is deducted. But I hope—and I am speaking for many people at Fisk and in Nashville—that you will be able to find the time to pay us a visit.

I look forward to hearing from you.

MJL/ekt

FISK UNIVERSITY

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37203

DEPARTMENT OF ART

April 17, 1967

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th St.
New York, New York

Dear Langston:

It was good to hear from you and know that all goes well. I decided to come down to Fisk and try and get the ball rolling in Art. Thus far, things have gone well and I am pleased with the progress that has been made. Aaron Douglas has retired but he is still here.

I am in the midst of assembling a showing of John Rhoden's sculpture and Walter Williams' paintings. These two artists will be featured at our Festival of Music and Art which opens Sunday, April 23.

When I last heard from you, you were enroute to or from Africa. How was your visit there? I hope to be able to go there someday but cannot say when. Providing you are in town around May 15 or 16, I shall give you a call as I shall have to come up to the big city for a couple of days about that time.

I am glad that you are still enjoying your little painting and we remember with fondness your gift to the girls.

Best wishes from all.

DCD:jp

Fisk University Library,

Nashville 8, Tennessee

April 14, 1945

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the gift mentioned below and I beg you to accept our sincere thanks.

Troubled Island--carbon of early opera version with many revisions and notations in the handwriting of L. H.

Troubled Island--carbon copy of arias, etc.

Troubled Island--condensed library version with many revisions and corrections in the handwriting of L. H.

Troubled Island--Cut and revised library version, November 24 to 30, 1944 with notations in the handwriting of L. H.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers--carbon of synopsis and suggested treatment for a film based on the poem. Corrections in the handwriting of L. H.

To

December 14, 1960

Dear George Gardiner:

The Japanese book is my SELECTED POEMS in translation.

And to get the German SIMPLE I think a book dealer like Brentano's would have to order it for you.

Arna Bontemps is just back on our soil tonight---snowbound in Mount Vernon at Paul's house, but expects to fly on to Nashville this weekend.

Cordial regards---and drop around again when next you come to New York.

Fisk University Library,

Nashville & Tennessee

July 3, 1963

Jerico-Jim-Crow-Jerico, A Song-Play by
Langston Hughes

Equal Employment Opportunity in the U.S.

Veterans Administration - A Reprint of Ebony

Magazine's Article Entitled "Government's

Most Integrated Agency

Program - The Miami Southern Negro Youth Congress

Presents Langston Hughes, Friday, May 30, 1947
at Mt. Zion Church

Langston Hughes Biographical Information

Excerpt of Letter to Langston Hughes from
Webster Smalley

Partial Listing (1942-1955) of Poetry

Readings, Speeches, etc. by Langston Hughes

Program - The Ninety-Fifth Annual Commencement

Howard University, Washington, D.C., 6-29-63 (two)

Langston Hughes Lecture Engagements, A
Chronological List (1925-1963)

Advertisement - The NewPort Jazz Festival, 1963

Review by Langston Hughes - In BLUES PEOPLE

Pamphlet - These Fifty Years, NAACP, 12-8-62

The Antioch Press - Books in Print

Advertisement- Don't You Want To be Free

Outline Map - Antioch College

Bill- Perez Blanco's Liborio

Mr. Langston Hughes

20 East 127th Street

New York 35, New York