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Samuel Howard Archer collection

 Collection
Identifier: aarl94-017

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of papers of Samuel Howard Archer from ca. 1898-1990. The papers include some personal correspondence (1923-1937) including letters of recommendation (1898-1902), newspaper clippings, tributes, and letters of condolence from academic institutions throughout the South regarding Archer's death. Other materials relating to Archer include records documenting his involvement in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Friendship Baptist Church (Atlanta, Ga.); awards and certificates; newspaper clippings (ca. 1964) relating to race relations in Nashville (Tenn.); and publications of various colleges particularly Morehouse College (1923-1983, with gaps), Spelman College (1939-1944, with gaps), and Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College (1931-1935). The collection also contains some material relating to Archer's wife Jessie Thelma Beasley Archer and his sons Samuel Howard Archer, Jr. and Nelson T. Archer.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within Bulk, 1923-1941
  • Bulk, 1923-1941 [ca. 1898-1990] 1923-1941

Creator

Historical Sketch

Dr. Samuel Howard Archer, Sr. was born to Nelson and Keziah (Howe) Archer on December 23, 1870, in Chesterfield, Va., and died on January 15, 1941 in Atlanta, Ga. after a short illness.

Archer, who became fondly known as "Big Boy", received his early childhood education at the Peabody Public School in Petersburg, Va. and continued on to the Wayland Normal School. Archer began his college education at Colgate University in 1898 and gained a reputation as a Scholar, Orator, and Athlete. While at the Baptist Institution, Archer studied Logic, Ethics, the Teachings of Jesus Christ, the New Testaments and Church History. He received his Bachelor's Degree in 1902. On September 7, 1905, Archer married Annie Courtney Johnson and to that union came four children: Samuel Howard Jr., Rosalind E., Nelson T., and Leonard C. Archer. He began his professional career in 1887 as a teacher in the rural schools of Virginia. In 1906, he went on to become a Professor of mathematics at Morehouse College, an institution for Negro men. He also served in the capacity of Football Coach, Dean and Vice President. On July 1, 1931, The American Baptist Home Mission Society announced that Samuel Howard Archer was elected President of Morehouse College. At this point Dr. Archer had already served at Morehouse for twenty-six years, during Dr. Hope's administration and the last year of Dr. George Sales' administration. During his thirty six (36) year tenure at Morehouse, Archer gained the reputation of being one of the greatest educators of all time. Marc Moreland in his article "Samuel Howard Archer: Portrait of a Teacher" Phylon, (1949) says "Dr Archer had a rare talent for handling young men. Of impressive appearance and of a wit as sharp as the fine edge of a seldom pleasure, he was, to his boys, as much man as any of them and a scholar who could at once amuse and instruct. Here indeed was a teacher who won young men and influenced them for good."

Extent

6.0 Cubic feet

Language

English

Overview

The collection consists of papers of Samuel Howard Archer from ca. 1898-1990. The papers include some personal correspondence (1923-1937) including letters of recommendation (1898-1902), newspaper clippings, tributes, and letters of condolence from academic institutions throughout the South regarding Archer's death. Other materials relating to Archer include records documenting his involvement in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; Friendship Baptist Church (Atlanta, Ga.); awards and certificates; newspaper clippings (ca. 1964) relating to race relations in Nashville (Tenn.); and publications of various colleges particularly Morehouse College (1923-1983, with gaps), Spelman College (1939-1944, with gaps), and Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial State College (1931-1935). The collection also contains some material relating to Archer's wife Jessie Thelma Beasley Archer and his sons Samuel Howard Archer, Jr. and Nelson T. Archer.

Series

Arranged by record type.

Provenance

The Items in this collection were donated in 1994 by Mrs. Jessie Thelma Beasley Archer, the wife of Samuel Howard Archer Jr. The collection contains several letters, programs, news clippings and college bulletins which pertain to the life and times of Dr. Samuel Howard Archer, Sr.

Processing Information

Processed by Anita Martin, 3/30/95

Title
Inventory of the Samuel Howard Archer Collection aarl94-017 aarl94-017
Author
Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
Date
2004 September 15
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository

Contact:
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta GA 30303
404-613-4032