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Table of contents What's This?
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical/ Historical
  • Scope and Contents
  • Arrangement
  • Processing Information

  • Contributing Institution: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
    Title: James A. Moss Papers
    Identifier/Call Number: 0187
    Physical Description: 8.5 Linear Feet (16 Hollinger boxes, one large flat box)
    Date (inclusive): 1953-1993
    Abstract: James A. Moss was a professor and sociologist focusing on race relations in America and internationally, from the early 1950s until his death in 1990. The collection consists of material written and compiled by Moss, such as his research and writing, personal papers, correpondence, and photogrpahic slides.
    Language of Material: English .

    Conditions Governing Access

    Advance notice required for access.

    Conditions Governing Use

    Copyright restrictions may apply

    Preferred Citation

    [Box/folder# or item name], JAmes A. Moss Papers, Collection no. 187, Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Pepperdine University.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Purchased in March 2021 from Swann Auction Gallery.

    Biographical/ Historical

    James Allen Moss was born in Newark, New Jersey on March 27, 1920 to Marion Thompson Wright, an African-American scholar and activist, and William Moss. James A. Moss had an expansive academic career in both teaching and administration. From 1942-1948 Moss attended both Fordham University and the New School for Social Research in New York where he received a B.A. in Sociology. During this time, he simultaneously served in the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey as a Supply Sergeant.
    Moss continued his educational pursuits and obtained both his M.A. and Ph. D from Columbia University.Upon finishing school, Moss served as a university professor and administrator at various institutions throughout his life. Before settling into his last, and longest, academic role from 1976-1988 at Adelphi University, as a Professor of Social Science and the Director of the African-American Studies Program, Moss taught at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Of the administrative roles he held are Vice President and Deputy for the President of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York and Acting Dean for International Studies at the New York State University in Buffalo.
    He also extended his social science expertise and knowledge beyond the field of academics. For a period of time, Moss served as Chairperson of the Middlestown New York Housing Authority, worked for the United States State Department as a Research Programs Officer, and partner with the United Nations to research and write on economics, housing and social conditions. Moss also had a deep commitment to social betterment and served as the Associate Secretary of the Methodist Federation of Social Action with the Methodist Church (now The United Methodist Church).
    In conjunction with his academic work, Moss lectured throughout the West Indies, Europe, and Africa and was the author of many articles related to race relations in America and abroad. He also served as editor and contributor to the book, "The Black Man in America, Integration and Separation."
    Moss and his wife, Juantia Moss, had two children, Jay Allen Moss and Alison Wright Moss. On June 20, 1990 in New York, NY James A. Moss died of a heart attack.

    Scope and Contents

    This collection documents James A. Moss's academic and professional career, including his extensive administrative work, teaching experiences, social science research, and travels. The bulk of the collection consists of his research and writings on race relations within the United States and abroad. Other research topics include the effects of the presidential directive on segregation and the integration of Negroes in Army life, economic and housing conditions, institutional racism, Black Studies, the changing roles of college teaching, civil rights and American foreign policy, and social work.
    The remainder of the collection includes familial correspondence and personal paperwork such as a written perspective on his mother Marion Thompson Wright, an investigative report conducted by the FBI on Moss for a job position of Social Science Analyst, his death certificate and memorial service pamphlet, poetry, assorted personal ephemera, newspaper clippings, and school reports of his son, Jay Allen Moss. Another significant portion of the collection holds a variety of photographic slides of his travels and other topics such as nature, art, race cars, work, protesters, and people.

    Arrangement

    The James A. Moss Papers are arranged into four series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Personal Papers; 3. Photographic Slides; 4. Research and Writing.

    Processing Information

    This collection was arranged and described by Kelsey Knox, Michaela Sinclair, and Bailey Badger between 2022-2023.