The Journal of Negro History was founded by Carter G. Woodson, a prominent historian and founder of Black History Month, to preserve and promote Black history. This first issue highlights early efforts to document the rich history of African Americans and their influence in the U.S. and globally. Lewis Latimer was an avid amateur historian of African American life in the United States and the Caribbean, and it is appropriate that he would have owned the first issue of this important periodical. His social circle included such kindred spirits as the writer J.E. Bruce (“Bruce Grit”), and Latimer may also have known and communicated with the historian and collector Arthur Schomburg.

The Lewis H. Latimer Papers (1870-1929, 1972) [QPL Subgroup]Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]