Saxon agrees to leave WPA Negro material to Dilliard

Letter 23

Lyle Saxon Leaves Dillard University

WPA Negro History Material

December 31, 1942

Mr. A.W. Dent, President

Dillard University

New Orleans, La.

My dear Mr. Dent:

I take this means of making official confirmation of the assurances made to you at the beginning of the week concerning the source and research material that I am to leave with Dillard University, with the understanding that every effort will be made to complete the work which we have been forced to discontinue.

As I stated to you at the time, we are leaving most of the work done on the writers' project in the care of Louisiana State Library Commission, the sponsor of the project. In the case of the Dillard material, however, I have discussed with Marcus B. Christian the availability of leaving the Negro material where it is at present, and the possibility of work being continued on the book, THE NEGRO IN LOUISIANA, until it is completed. Being assured of his intentions in that direction, and with the understanding that the university would give him all aid possible, it was largely due to his solicitations that I have concluded that your institution is the logical place in which to allow it to remain.

Although I shall be in Washington for a few months, I would like to know from time to time just how the work is progressing, and when it has been finished, I would also like to be able to help in getting it to the attention of a publisher, as well as being allowed to write the foreword in which I would like to give you and Christian the proper credit in the writing and publishing of the work.

Sincerely,

Lyle Saxon, Regional Director

Louisiana Writers' Project

Canal Building, New Orleans, La.

<<---Previous Next--24->>

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. 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.