Alex Haley Papers, Circa 1937-1993
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Haley, Alex
- Extent:
- 45 Hollinger Boxes
- 17 Books
- 2 Vinyl records
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Alex Haley Papers, African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Alex Haley papers consists of manuscripts including those from his time with the Saturday Evening Post, Boy's Life Magazine and Kiwanis Magazine; correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, business files, awards, and other materials documenting Alex Haley's literary career. The papers also include fan mail during the popularity of the book and the subsequent television series "Roots", and photographs in Gambia.
- Biographical / historical:
Alex Murray Palmer Haley was born on August 11, 1921 in Ithaca, New York. He lived with his maternal grandmother in Henning, Tennessee. As a young adult, Haley entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939 and was in active service for 20 years. He began his career in writing by composing his shipmates' love letters to their sweethearts.During this time Haley created "The Seafarer", which became the official Coast Guard newsletter. Haley later attained the title of Chief Petty Officer which he kept until his retirement and was the first Chief Journalist in the Coast Guard, the rating having been expressly created for him in recognition of his literary ability.
After his time in the service, Haley became a journalist and wrote for the Saturday Evening Post, Readers' Digest and Playboy Magazine. He interviewed notable figures such as Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., Miles Davis, and the head of the Nazi American Party, George Lincoln Rockwell, in 1962. His interview of Malcolm X was followed by the book The Autobiography of Malcolm X in 1965.
While growing up in Tennessee, Haley's childhood was filled with stories of his African ancestor, Kunta Kinte, and how he came to the United States. It was from these oral histories that Haley decided to research his African roots. Haley succeeded in locating the origin of Kunta Kinte, in the village of Juffure in Gambia.
Haley spent years of research to complete the book ROOTS: The Saga of an American Family in 1976. The book describes Haley's ancestors coming from Africa to North America as slaves and their descendants. ROOTS gained Haley international success, he won a Pulitzer Prize, and the book was printed in countless languages and sold around the world. In 1977 ROOTS the mini-series was the third highest rated television program of all time, and generated an increasing interest in genealogical research throughout the United States.
- Acquisition information:
- The Alex Haley Papers was purchased by Broward County Library on September 26, 2001 from the Heritage Book Shop Inc. The Heritage Bindery acquired the papers from the Alex Haley estate auction in 1992.
- Processing information:
This collection received file level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection. Books and vinyl records from this collection were cataloged in the Broward County Library catalog with the prefix "HAL".
- Arrangement:
The collection is organized in nine series: Series I. Correspondence, Series II. Writings by Alex Haley, Series III. Writings by Others, Series IV. Professional Papers, Series V: Personal Papers, Series VI: Photographs, Series VII. Business Files, Series VIII. Printed Materials, and Series IX. Awards.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The Alex Haley Papers are open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Alex Haley Papers, African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library2650 Sistrunk BoulevardFort LauderdaleFL33311USA
