- Written by
- W.E.B. Du Bois, American, 1868 - 1963
- Received by
- Chesnutt, Charles W., American, 1858 - 1932
- Subject of
- Knoxville College, American, founded 1875
- Date
- July 12, 1903
- Medium
- ink on paper (fiber product)
- Dimensions
- H x W: 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)
- framed: 18 1/4 x 15 1/2 x 1 in. (46.4 x 39.4 x 2.5 cm)
- Caption
- W.E.B. Du Bois (1868 1963) was the preeminent African American public intellectual/activist of the early 20th century while Charles Chesnutt (1858 1932) was a prominent author of fictional works that dealt with issues facing African Americans of the era. In this letter, Du Bois proposes the creation of a "journal" dealing with African American life. This is likely an early expression of his interest in developing what becomes The Crisis, the official journal of the NAACP.
- Description
- A one-sided, single sheet handwritten letter written by W. E. B. Du Bois to Charles Chesnutt. The letter is written on Knoxville College stationery. The letterhead has typewritten text in black that reads [OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, / RALPH W. MCGRANAHAN] at the top left and [KNOXVILLE COLLEGE, / KNOXVILLE, TENN.] at center.
- The letter is handwritten in black ink with the date [July 16, 1903] at the top right. The body of the letter reads: [Dear Mr. Chestnutt: I am going to be in Boston this summer @ 97 Sawyer Ave., Dorchester. It is barely possible that I may get west, if so I’ll let you know. I am rather confident that the right kind of journal could get support and I propose to edit it myself. I have an excellent printer in mind—college bred + expert + full of sacrifice. I hope we can talk this matter over.]. It is signed at bottom right [Very Sincerely / W.E.B. Du Bois].
- Transcription Center Status
- Transcription Available
- Place made
- Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
- Place depicted
- Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Documents and Manuscripts
- Type
- business letters
- Topic
- Activism
- Correspondence
- Education
- HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
- Literature
- Social reform
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of James Lowell Gibbs, Jr. and Jewelle Taylor Gibbs
- Object number
- 2012.48
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




