Collection Guide
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Guide to the Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
MS 19
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Table of contents
Title: Miriam Matthews Photograph collection
Dates: 1955-1964
Collection number: MS 19
Collection Size:
25 linear feet
(1 box)
Creator:
Matthews, Miriam
Repository:
African American Museum and Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Miriam Matthews Photographic Collection consists of 121 photographic prints collected by Miriam Matthews largely related
to African American history in California. Roughly half of the collection is photographs of notable African American politicians
taken by photographer Harry A. Adams in Southern California between 1955-1964. The remaining photographs are reproductions
of images held by other institutions.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum and
Library at Oakland.
Miriam Matthews Photograph collection, MS 19, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland,
California.
Biography / Administrative History
Born in 1905 in Pensacola, Florida to Reuben Hearde and Fannie (Elijah) Matthews, Miriam Matthews (1905-2003) was the Los
Angeles Public Library's first professional African American librarian and an important early collector of African American
art and history. Matthews earned degrees in librarianship from the University of California at Berkeley and the University
of Chicago and served as a branch and regional library manager for the Los Angeles Public Library for 33 years between 1927-1960.
She was active in professional and civic organizations and received numerous awards for her contributions to African American
history.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Miriam Matthews Photographic Collection consists of 121 photographic prints collected by Miriam Matthews largely related
to African American history in California. Roughly half of the collection is photographs of notable African American politicians
taken by photographer Harry A. Adams in Southern California between 1955-1964. The remaining photographs are reproductions
of images held by other institutions.
Series I. Photographs
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
African American politicians--California.
Miriam Matthews collection of Los Angeles Newspapers on African Americans (Collection Number 1839). UCLA Library Special Collections,
Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.
Miriam Matthews Photographic collection (Collection Number 1889). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research
Library, UCLA.
Miriam Matthews papers (Collection Number 1804). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.