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Finding Aid to the Knights of the Clocks Collection, 1950-2012 Coll2014.087
Coll2014.087  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Administrative History
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Preferred Citation
  • Processing Information
  • Related Materials
  • Scope and Contents

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
    Title: Knights of the Clocks collection
    creator: Knights of the Clocks
    creator: Byrd, Merton L.
    Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014.087
    Physical Description: 0.1 Linear Feet 1 folder.
    Date (inclusive): 1950-2012
    Abstract: Articles of incorporation, event invitations, and meeting notes, circa 1950-2012, from Knights of the Clocks, an interracial homophile social organization founded in 1951 by Merton Byrd.

    Administrative History

    The Clocks, more commonly known as the Knights of the Clocks, was founded by Merton Byrd, Louis Wells, and Donald Grant, and incorporated in California in June 1951. The group formed as an interracial homophile group in Los Angeles with rituals and an organizational structure inspired by Freemasonry. The collection documents indicate that the organization was also known as The Cloistered Loyal Order of Conclaved Knights of Sophisticracy.

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

    Conditions Governing Use

    All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    A photocopy of the Articles of Incorporation were acquired from the California Secretary of State Business Programs Division in 2012 by Charles Schewene. Donor and date of remaining materials unknown.

    Preferred Citation

    [Box/folder #, or item name] Knights of the Clocks Collection, Coll2014-087, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

    Processing Information

    Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, October 2014.

    Related Materials

    W. Dorr Legg Personal Papers, Coll2010-004, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California
    AC0412, W. Dorr Legg speech at meeting of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) [sound recording], 1982 http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15799coll4/id/1464/rec/1

    Scope and Contents

    The collection comprises articles of incorporation, event invitations, and notes, circa 1950-2012, from Knights of the Clocks, an interracial gay men's social organization founded in 1951. The notes describe procedures for the installation of officers, an oath repeated by members during meetings, membership dues, and an historical sketch of the organization.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    African American gay men
    Los Angeles -- Gay clubs
    Social aspects -- Homosexuality
    Knights of the Clocks
    Byrd, Merton L.