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Books by Marcus Bruce
Christian
Song of the Black Valiants: Marching Tempo
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High Ground: A Collection of Poems /
Negro soldiers in the Battle of New Orleans
I am New
Orleans: A Poem
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Negro Iron Workers of Louisiana: 1718-1900 /
The Liberty Monument
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Letter 21
Christian
Proposes to Albert Dent
a Dillard University Press
New Orleans, Louisiana
December 26, 1942
Mr. A.W. Dent, President
Dillard University
New Orleans, Louisiana
Dear Mr. Dent:
Just prior to Doctor Nelson's resignation I proposed to him the founding of a
Dillard University Press. The main purpose of such venture was to make use of the valuable source
material that we now have by publishing at spaced intervals printed monograph concerning the Negroes' part in Louisiana
history. This undertaking was to have been over and above anything that we might do in the publication of a book.
One of the means by which it was proposed to bring about the founding of this project was to make use of my knowledge of
printing and bookbinding, and to put into operation the two small hand printing presses that I have at home, in addition to
the large 12 x 18 motored press and a large bookbinder's cutting machine. In using this equipment to bring out small
publications, we had planned to use either hand-set type or linotype matter--according to whether cheapness or speed was
most desired.
In getting our publications ready for the press, we were to ask Doctor Quarles to serve as chairman of our editorial
board, while asking other faculty members, such as Doctor Crawford and Professor Edmonds to serve as members of this
board. I was to be the compiler, writer, and editor of such publications as were to be released quarterly or twice each
year.
Special documentary notes were also to be included in each issue, and this material was to be so published that it
could be used by historians and sociologists throughout the country. For example, we seem to know about as much as anyone
else concerning the Negro's part in the Battle of New Orleans, and a booklet issued by the university on this subject might do
much for the prestige of the institution at a time when this topic is very much in the national spotlight. The
Dillard University art department could probably assist us in planning illustrations, and in furnishing front cover decorative
designs.
When I broached the subject to Doctor Nelson, he seemed very much interested in a
Dillard University press, and advised me to proceed with my plans. When his resignation came, I was
waiting for a written statement from Mr. Saxon, promising to allow the research material to remain at the institution
indefinitely. Last week Mr. Saxon assured me that this can be done. The worth of the material to which he has promised us
access to is valued at many thousands of dollars.
I am writing this with the hope that such a plan may be put into operation at some future date, even though I have no
connection with the university at this time. I believe that a project of this type would give the institution more prestige
among scholars, educators, and historians than any other one thing I know of at present.
In addition to this, our present material could be augmented from time to time, until we could ask one of the
foundations to supply us with compartments to place around the walls of our present office. Then the source material on cards
could be cross-indexed for subject matter, and triple-indexed for names. Under this new system reference for any type of
material could be found with little difficulty. When this was finished, it would then be possible to gather all of the
institution's Louisiana and Negro history material, and place it in this room.
If these suggestions could be carried out, I might then be willing to place with this material my own historical
collection--a collection which Sterling Brown says is the finest private Negro collection that he has seen in the South.
All of the foregoing may prove to be an excellent idea, and one that Dillard may be able to make use of one day. I
realize that for the last few years the university has placed little emphasis upon historical research, but it is very
probably that there will be a readjustment of its historical perspective in the near future.
Finally, I should like to say that, even though Mr. Embree and the university find it impossible to give any
financial assistance in completing THE LOUISIANA NEGRO, I am definitely committed to the completion of the work in its first
final form. Beyond that I am planning to appeal to the Rosenwald Fund, and asking the privilege of personally speaking
to the Committee on awards in behalf of a grant for the coming year.
Sincerely,
Marcus B. Christian
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Dr. Albert W. Dent (1904-1984), the university's third
president served from 1940 to 1969, under his leadership Dillard University
became a charter member of the United Negro College Fund in 1944, and in 1958
was admitted to membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The university gymnasium named in his honor was rededicated on October 14, 1999.
Built in 1969 at the end of his service, Dent Hall is the home of the Blue
Devils and the Lady Blue Devils basketball teams.
A graduate of Morehouse College, Mr.
Dent became superintendent of Flint-Goodridge Hospital after a brief business
career in Georgia and Texas. |
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For six years he served simultaneously as business
manager of Dillard University and superintendent of Flint-Goodridge Hospital. In
1931 he married Ernestine Jessie Covington. From 1941 to 1969 Albert Dent was
the president of Dillard University.
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Tom Dent
Born in 1932, Tom Dent grew up in a
socially aware southern family and graduated from Morehouse College in 1952. His
writing career began around that time when he was hired at the Houston Informer
and he later wrote for New York Age. In 1961 he became a public information
worker for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Legal
Defense and Educational Fund. Through that assignment he became deeply involved
in the civil rights movement and the importance of the struggle was reflected in
some of his writings. After living in New York, Tom Dent returned to New Orleans
where he helped run the Free Southern Theater and then taught at local
universities
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Jesse Covington Dent: Concert Artist
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Noted classical pianist and
Charter Member of the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter, Jessie
Covington Dent died on March 10, 2001. The daughter of the late
Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Jesse Covington and wife of past Dillard
University President, the late Dr. Albert W. Dent, Soror Dent
was ranked among the eminent citizens of the city for a long
number of years.
On June 20, 1936, Soror Dent and ten other prominent women
chartered the Alpha Eta Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, later renamed New Orleans Alumnae Chapter. During her
tenure as the chapter's second president, the first collegiate
chapter in the city of New Orleans, Beta Gamma Chapter, was
chartered at Dillard University. |
Through the years, Soror Dent
remained well informed about the chapter activities. It became
the chapter's tradition to present her with flowers in
celebration of Founders Day. She warmly received sorors in her
home and graciously provided reflections on the chapter's
historic beginning. In 1996, Soror Dent was the Honorary
Co-Chair of the chapter's 60th Anniversary Celebration.
Soror Dent achieved many impressive firsts. She was
among the first fellowship students to enter the Juilliard Musical
Foundation when it was inaugurated in 1924. Additionally, she was the
recipient of the first Amistad Fine Arts Award in New Orleans, founding
member of the New Orleans Chapter of Links, Inc., founding member of the
New Orleans Chapter of Jack and Jill, and first President of the New
Orleans Iris Garden Society. She was also a member of Central
Congregational United Church of Christ.
New Orleans Alumnae Chapter President Sylvia Stanley Turner led the
Omega Omega Service for Soror Dent on Thursday, March 15, 2001, in
Lawless Memorial Chapel on the campus of Dillard University. Past
President of the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter, Soror Hazel Stamps Moore
gave the eulogy and reflected on the special times she shared with Soror
Dent.
Survivors include two sons, Benjamin Albert and Walter Jesse Dent; and
two grandchildren. Soror Dent was also the mother of noted playwright,
poet, and civil rights activist Thomas Covington Dent, who died in June
1998.
The Jessie Covington Dent Memorial Scholarship in
Music has been established at Dillard University. Contributions may
be sent to the: Dillard University /
Office of Development /
2601 Gentilly Boulevard / New Orleans, Louisiana 70122
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Selected Letters
Selected Diary Notes Memories of Marcus B. Christian
(Cains) Christian's
BioBibliographical Record Introduction to I AM NEW
ORLEANS
A
Theory of a Black Aesthetic Magpies,
Goddesses, & Black Male Identity
Activist Works on Next Level of Change
Intro to I Am New
Orleans
Letter from Dillard University
A
Labor of Genuine Love
Letter of Gift of
Photos
Letters from
LSU and Skip Gates * * *
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Negro Iron Workers of Louisiana: 1718-1900
By Marcus Bruce Christian
Study of the blacksmith tradition and New
Orleans famous lace balconies and fences.
Acclaimed during his life
as the unofficial poet laureate of the New Orleans
African-American community, Marcus Christian recorded a
distinguished career as historian, journalist, and literary
scholar. He was a contributor to Pelican's
Gumbo Ya Ya, and also wrote many articles that appeared
in numerous newspapers, journals, and general-interest
publications. |
 |
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Audio:
My Story, My Song (Featuring blues guitarist Walter Wolfman Washington)
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Bob
Dylan: Only a pawn in their game /
The
Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
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Panel on Literary Criticism
26 March 2010
National Black Writers Conference
Patrick Oliver, Kalamu ya Salaam,
Dorothea Smartt, Frank Wilderson discuss
the use of literature to promote
political causes and instigate change
and transformation. The event is at the
Medgar Evers College at the City
University of New York.
C-Span Archives
Panel on Politics and Satire
26 March 2010
National Black Writers Conference
Herb Boyd, Thomas Bradshaw, Charles
Edison and Major Owens discuss how
current events are reflected in the
writings of African Americans. The
event is at the Medgar Evers College at
the City University of New York.
C-Span Archives |
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Selected Letters
Selected Diary Notes Memories of Marcus B. Christian
(Cains) Christian's
BioBibliographical Record Introduction to I AM NEW
ORLEANS
A
Theory of a Black Aesthetic Magpies,
Goddesses, & Black Male Identity
Activist Works on Next Level of Change
Intro to I Am New
Orleans
Letter from Dillard University
A
Labor of Genuine Love
Letter of Gift of
Photos
Letters from
LSU and Skip Gates * * *
* *
|
Negro Iron Workers of Louisiana: 1718-1900
By Marcus Bruce Christian
Study of the blacksmith tradition
and New Orleans famous lace balconies and fences.
Acclaimed during
his life as the unofficial poet laureate of the New
Orleans African-American community, Marcus Christian
recorded a distinguished career as historian,
journalist, and literary scholar. He was a contributor
to Pelican's
Gumbo Ya Ya, and also wrote many articles that
appeared in numerous newspapers, journals, and
general-interest publications. |
|
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* *
Audio:
My Story, My Song (Featuring blues guitarist Walter Wolfman Washington)
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Ancient African Nations
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The Death of Emmett Till by Bob Dylan
/
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
/
Only a Pawn in Their Game
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson Thanks America for
Slavery
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The Journal of Negro History issues at Project Gutenberg
The
Haitian Declaration of Independence 1804
/
January 1, 1804 -- The Founding of
Haiti
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update 17 April 2010 |
