The Finding Aid of the Marion Thompson Wright Papers 0177
Kelsey Knox
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
January 2021
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu 90263-4786
kelsey.knox@pepperdine.edu
Note
This collection was processed by Kelsey Knox in January 2021.
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: Marion Thompson Wright Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0177
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
2 Hollinger Boxes, 1 carton.
Date (inclusive): 1939-1987
Abstract: Marion Thompson Wright was an African American scholar in the fields of history, sociology, and education. She was the first
African American to receive a doctorate from Columbia University.
Her papers contain her unbound doctoral dissertation, diplomas from Howard and Columbia Universities, personal correspondence,
documents about her death and estate, taped interviews about her, and a small amount of photographs.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Gabrielle Bacchus , Marion Thompson Wright's great- granddaughter in November 2019.
Arrangement
The Marion Thompson Wright Papers are arranged into four series in chronological order: 1. Education and Academic Research;
2. Correspondence; 3. Personal Papers; 4. Legacy.
Biographical / Historical
Marion Thompson Wright was a leading scholar in African American education and sociology. She was born on September 12, 1902
in East Orange, New Jersey. She married William Moss at the age of sixteen and together they had two children, James and Thelma.
Since universities did not accept female students who were married or had been divorced, Wright pretended to be unwed in order
to enroll in Howard University. Her children were raised by their father, and later, Wright's mother. Wright later remarried
to a man named Arthur M. Wright.
Wright earned her B.A. in Sociology in 1927 from Howard University and her M.A. in history and education a year later, also
from Howard. Wright became the first African American to receive a doctorate from Teacher College, Columbia University in
1940, with her dissertation titled, "The Education of Negroes in New Jersey", which was subsequently published in 1941. She
was additionally the first Black woman to receive a phD in history in the United States.
She became a full time faculty member at Howard University in 1950. She frequently published in
The Journal of Negro History multiple times on the topic of African Americans in New Jersey. Wright's research was also used in the case of Brown vs.
Board of Education in the fight to desegregate schools.
Wright passed away on October 12, 1962 at the age of 60.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder# or item name], Marion Thompson Wright Papers, Collection no. 177, Special Collections and University Archives,
University Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Processing Information
This collection was arranged and described by Kelsey Knox, January 2021.
Scope and Contents
The Marion Thompson Wright Papers contain materials related to several areas of Wright's life. The collections contains Wright's
diplomas from Howard University and Columbia University, along with her dissertation, "The Education of Negroes in New Jersey"
and programs for each of her commencements. It contains some research material as well as articles in which Wright is quoted.
A large quantity of the collection is personal correspondence between Wright and her son, James Moss, as well as a few letters
from others. Another bulk of the collection is about Wright's death and the execution of her estate. the majority of the collection
are documents, but there is also a small amount of photographs, as well as some cassette tapes with interviews about Wright.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply.
Related Materials
Special Collections also holds Marion Thompson Wright's book collection, comprised primarily of first edition volumes signed
by their authors, as well as Wright's own publications. These volumes can be found in the library catalog. This collection
came with a small amount of photographs as well.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Dissertations
Interviews
Series 1:
Education and Academic Research
1939-1960
Arrangement
Series 1: Education and Academic Research is arrangement in alphabetical order by folder title.
Scope and Contents
Series 1: Education and Academic Research includes materials related to Marion Thompson Wright's education and her research.
It includes commencement programs for both of her commencements as well as both diplomas and the unbound copy of her dissertation.
More of Wright's published research can be found in her book collection in the library catalog.
box 1, folder 1
Articles Related to Wright's Research
1951-1956
box 1, folder 2
Columbia University Commencement Program
1941 June 3
box 4
Columbia University Diploma
1941 June 3
box 1, folder 3-5
"The Education of Negroes in New Jersey"
1939 March 22
Scope and Contents
Marion Thompson Wright's unbound dissertation.
box 1, folder 6
"Extending Civil Rights in New Jersey Through the..."
undated
box 1, folder 7
Howard University Commencement Program
1940 June 7
box 4
Howard University Diploma
1940 June 7
box 1, folder 8
Kappa Delta Pi Certificate
1956 April 27
box 1, folder 9
Marion Thompson Wright Achievements
1960, undated
Series 2:
Correspondence
1940-1942
Scope and Contents
Series 2: Correspondence includes letters primarily between Marion Thompson Wright and her son, James Moss. Note: When a letter
was undated, the postmark (when found) was used as the date.
Arrangement
Series 2: Correspondence is arranged in chronological order, with undated letters coming last.
box 1, folder 12
To Wright from Addie
circa 1938 November 29
box 1, folder 13
To James Moss from Wright
circa 1939 August 16
box 1, folder 14
To Wright from James Moss
circa 1940 June 4
box 1, folder 15
To James Moss from Wright
circa 1941 December 22
box 1, folder 16
To James Moss from Wright
1942 January 15
box 1, folder 17
To James Moss from Wright
1942 December 8
box 1, folder 18
To Wright from Dorothy B. Porter
1950 April 13
box 1, folder 19
Postcards to Wright
1950-1960
box 1, folder 20
To Wright from Ruth and Mason Rucker
1960 October 17
box 1, folder 21
To Wright from Jim
1960 December 20
box 1, folder 22
To Wright from Nita
1961 November 20
box 1, folder 23
To Wright from James Moss
1962 August 5
box 1, folder 24
To Wright from Thelma Moss
1962 October 25
box 1, folder 25
To James Moss from Wright
undated
box 1, folder 26
To James Moss from Wright (change the folder)
undated
box 1, folder 27
To James Moss from Wright
undated
box 1, folder 28
To James Moss from Wright
undated
box 1, folder 29
To Thelma from Wright
undated
Series 3:
Personal Papers
1953-1969
Arrangement
Series 3: Personal Papers is arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.
Scope and Contents
Series 3: Personal Papers is comprised of matters related to Marion Thompson's personal life as well as her death in 1962
and subsequent execution of her estate matters. Materials in this series include Wright's birth, marriage, and divorce certificates,
biographical materials, will, death certificate, condolence letters, and materials regarding Wright's funeral. The folders
regarding Wright's will and estate are large and contain correspondence and other materials regarding the contentious issue
of Wright's estate.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Plaque Commemorating Marion Thompson Wright
box 2, folder 1
Biographical Information for Marion Thompson Wright
1947-1987
box 2, folder 2
Birth Certificate of Marion Thompson Wright
1902
box 2, folder 3
Condolence Letters to Thelma Moss on Death of Wright
1962 October
box 2, folder 4
Copy of Wright's Death Certificate
1962 October 29
box 2, folder 5
Divorce Certificate of William Moss and Marion Thompson Wright
1925 September 17
box 2, folder 6
Divorce of Arthur Wright Marion Thompson Wright
1951
box 2, folder 7
Drafts of Wright's Obituary
1962 October
box 3, folder 1
Execution of Wright's Estate
1963-1969
box 2, folder 9
Funeral Automobile List
circa 1962 October
box 2, folder 10
Funeral Costs
1962 October 26
box 2, folder 11
Funeral Memory Book
1962 October
box 2, folder 12
Letter of Appreciation for Donation in Wright's Memory
1962 December 26
box 2, folder 13
List of Pallbearers for Wright's Funeral
1962 November 8
box 2, folder 14
Marion Wright Monogram Brooch
undated
box 2, folder 15
Marriage Certificate of Arthur Wright and Marion Thompson Wright
1931 April 3
box 2, folder 16
Obituary Clippings
1962 October
box 2, folder 19
Real Estate Titles
1952-1969
box 2, folder 20
Receipt for Marion Thompson Wright's Will
1962
box 2, folder 21
Resolution from Howard University on Wright's Death
1963 January 7
box 2, folder 22
Will and Estate Matters
1963-1964
box 3, folder 2
Wright's Estate
1962-1969
Wright's Red Leather Briefcase
undated
box 3, folder 3
Wright's Will Probate and Estate Issues
1961-1966
Series 4:
Legacy
1982-1987
Arrangement
Series 4: Legacy is arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.
Scope and Contents
Series 4: Legacy includes materials related to the legacy of Marion Thompson Wright. These materials include interviews on
tape with people who knew Wright, as well as written accounts of memories of Wright. All of these materials originated after
Wright's death.
box 3, folder 4
Interviews Conducted by James Allen Moss
1982 April 13
Scope and Contents
Side 1: Mr. and Mrs. Walter Daniel (Walter followed by Theodora)
Side 2: Daniels interview
Interviewed by James Allen Moss
NYC
box 2, folder 24
Interviews Regarding Marion Thompson Wright
1983-1987
box 3, folder 4
Interview with Howard University Dean Inabel Lindsey
1982 March 12
box 3, folder 4
Memories of Mr. Marion Thompson Wright by Selma White Palmer
1982 April 23
box 2, folder 25
New Jersey Historical Commission
1981-1988
box 3, folder 4
Second Annual Marion Thompson Wright Lecture
1982 February 20
box 2, folder 26
Tributes to Marion Thompson Wright
1963-1987
