John Wesley Dobbs letter to Roy D. McClain
Scope and Contents
This collection contains a letter written by John Wesley Dobbs on Prince Hall Grand Lodge stationary to Rev. Roy D. McClain. In the letter, Dobbs contests McClain’s sermons that promote racial segregation and limiting African Americans' access to higher education. Dobbs uses the Bible to argue that Black's should have access to higher education not only because they are Americans, but because it would help improve the country's economy and progress. He also contends that integration is a display of civic duty and patriotism.
Dates
- 1956
Creator
- Dobbs, John Wesley, 1882-1961 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.
Biographical / Historical
John Wesley Dobbs (1882-1961) was a political leader and civil rights activist. He was born in Marietta, Georgia, to William Dobbs (1847-1931) and Minnie Millicent Hendrix (1862-1937). Dobbs earned a high school diploma in 1901 from Atlanta Baptist College (later Morehouse College). In 1903 he passed a civil service exam, after which he worked as a mail clerk for 32 years. In 1906 he married Irene Ophelia Thompson (1885-1972), and they had six daughters: Dr. Irene “Renie” Dobbs Jackson (1908-1999), Willie Dobbs Blackburn (1910-2011), Millicent Dobbs Jordan (1911-1991), Josephine Dobbs Clement (1918-1998), Mattiwilda “Geekie” Dobbs Janzon (1925-2015), and Dr. June Dobbs Butts (1928-2019).
In 1949, he and A. T. Walden founded the Atlanta Negro Voters League. Dobbs was also a sponsor of the National Negro Business League, Grand Master of the Prince Hall Masons from 1932-1961, vice-chairman of the Georgia State Central Committee of the Republican Party (NAACP), and national vice-president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. John Wesley Dobbs' grandson, Maynard Jackson, was elected Mayor of Atlanta in 1973 and 1977, becoming the city's first Black mayor. He was elected for a third term in 1990.
Extent
1 folder(s)
Language
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase, 2021
Bias in Description
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Content Advisory
This collection contains original unedited versions of all content. Some material may contain depictions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There may be instances of racist language and depictions, particularly regarding African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record for the purpose of education and research. The viewpoints expressed in this collection do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers.
Processing Information
This collection was processed in 2022.
- African American universities and colleges -- Georgia -- Atlanta
- African Americans -- Civil rights
- African Americans -- Education
- African Americans -- Georgia -- Atlanta -- History
- African Americans -- Segregation -- Georgia -- Atlanta
- Dobbs, John Wesley, 1882-1961
- Education, Higher -- Georgia -- Atlanta
- Evangelistic sermons -- Georgia
- Freemasons. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia
- McClain, Roy D.
- Segregation -- Georgia
- Segregation in education -- Georgia
- Title
- John Wesley Dobbs letter to Roy D. McClain
- Subtitle
- ahc.MSS960f
- Author
- Britny Davis
- Date
- September 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository