James Haskins, professor in the UF Department of English, was a social activist, an educator and an award winning author of over 100 adult and children's books. His book The Cotton Club was made into a major film in 1984.
The James Haskins Collection consists of over 3,000 books, manuscripts and papers. Included in the collection are copies of books written by Haskins, such as: African Heroes, The Harlem Renaissance, The Cotton Club, and I Have a Dream : the Life and Words of Martin Luther King, Jr; as well as books from his personal collection, including many children's, historical, psychological, and anthropological works used in his research. A substantial number of books from his personal collection are signed first editions, from many respected authors in the field of children's literature and African American Studies.
Some items of interest are:
- Copies of Haskins' works (listed in the UF Libraries Catalog)
- Photographs used in the writing and printing of his biographies
- Original manuscripts of unpublished works
- Correspondence with civil rights leaders, social figures and well known African Americans in the fields of music, politics and sports
- Personal papers
A finding aid for the James Haskins Collection is in process and should be published in the near future. The Special Collections staff and the librarian for African American Studies will be happy to consult with you and help you find the materials that you need for your research.