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Amiri Baraka papers, 1945-2015, bulk 1970s-2000s
219.5 linear feetMay Randall and the New Negro Poet collection, 1900-1940
0.42 Linear FeetMaster's thesis produced by May Randall entitled "The New Negro Poet" for her degree in English from the University of Chicago in the late 1920s. The thesis examines black poets of the Harlem Riennaisance and the collection includes a photocopy of her thesis, and the original letters from 39 Dlack poets of the time, all personal correspondence with Ms Randall regarding her thesis, which she Dlanned to submit for publication. The poets include many of the leading lights: Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Claude McKay, plus 35 lesser known authors. Most of the letters are giving her permission to publish their work, but they also referred her to other poets, and gave her contact information so she could include them. The letters are friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic about the idea that her thesis might become a published book.