James Weldon Johnson, 1871-1938 originally displayed February-March 1999 Thomas Cooper Library, University of South Carolina based on an exhibit by Jamie S. Hansen hypertext by Jason A. Pierce

James Weldon Johnson, from the frontispiece of Along This Way

Recently, the Thomas Cooper Library has formed a collection of books and manuscripts by James Weldon Johnson, African-American poet and statesman. In 1997 the library received the personal collection of the distinguished story-teller and librarian Augusta Baker. In 1939, as children's librarian of the 135th Street (Harlem) Branch of the New York Public Library, Baker established the James Weldon Johnson Memorial Collection, showcasing books that portrayed black children in positive ways. Included in Baker's own collection were materials relating to her association with Johnson. One special treasure was a small group of the poet's manuscripts. These four holograph poems were the seeds of the new James Weldon Johnson Collection at the Cooper Library.