Ollie Harrington cartoon tearsheets, 1950s-1960s
Collection context
- Extent:
- 0.3 Linear Feet 1 binder
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
Ollie Harrington (1912-1995) is considered the greatest Black cartoonist of the 20th century,an epithet bestowed on him by Langston Hughes. Harrington used his expressive line to document Black life in America, primarily for the Amsterdam News and the Pittsburgh Courier. He created the strip "Dark Laughter" in 1935, which featured "Bootsie," an Harlemite dealing with racism; the character became so popular that the cartoon was renamed for him. Harrington became involved with the NAACP after meeting Walter White, and his activism eventually brought upon him the eye of both HUAC and the FBI. He left the US for France in 1951, and took political asylum in East Germany ten years later.
This collection contains 302 cartoon tearsheets, primarily "Bootsie" but including some of Harrington's political cartoons, from the 1950s and 1960s.
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu