Claudia Jones Memorial Collection, 1935-1998

1935-1998 (bulk 1955-1964)

Claudia Jones Memorial collection consists primarily of printed matter apparently owned by Jones. There is a relatively small volume of material relating to Jones's personal and political activities. Bon-voyage postcards, letters, and telegrams sent to her on her departure from the United States following deportation are the only documents that deal with her life in the United States. The collection also contains poems Jones wrote while in prison and during her voyage to England.

There are several notebooks chronicling her experiences during trips she took to China and Japan. A folder on Paul Robeson includes a booklet Paul Robeson Goes to Washington, and a transcript of his appearance before the Smith Act Congressional Hearing Committee. Also contained in the Robeson folder are promotional materials for his appearances in London from 1956-1962; correspondence between the Robesons' and Jones; a transcript of a speech by Jones delivered at a reception for the Robesons held in London; and Robeson speech notes. A folder labeled "Bailey, Frank /Manchanda, Abhimanyu /Jones, Claudia controversy" contains letters, notes, and other information concerning charges that were filed against Jones and Manchanda by Frank Bailey, a member of the Communist Party, who was also involved in working with the Afro-Caribbean community in London. The printed matter consists of booklets and monographs on a variety of subjects, including race and gender. Authors include James Allen, Herbert Aptheker, Ben Davis, George W. Crockett, Elizabeth Flynn Gurley, James Ford, Harry Haywood, and Claudia Jones.

correspondence

manuscripts

notebooks

postcards

promotional material

telegrams

1.2 linear feet (3 boxes)

English

Sc MG 692

The Claudia Jones Memorial Collection also contains the Claudia Jones Memorial Photograph Collection: "The collection (1955-1964) depicts the activities of political activist and communist Claudia Jones after her deportation from the United States to Great Britain -- The collection consists of individual portraits of Jones; views of Jones attending conferences, meetings, social events and receptions, and other political gatherings; views of Jones with friends, colleagues and acquaintances, mostly during trips abroad; and individual portraits and candid shots of various friends and colleagues. Views of Jones's funeral and funeral procession (1964) are also depicted. The collection includes a single view of Jones with some of the other Smith Act defendants in New York (1953)"