Contents
- Descriptive Summary
- Biographical note
- Scope and Contents note
- Processing Information note
- Related Archival Materials note
- Immediate Source of Acquisition note
- Indexed Terms
Collection Access
Arthur W. Mitchell Photograph Collection
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Arthur W. Mitchell Photograph Collection
- Identifier
- BMRC.CHM.MITCHELL_PHOTOS
- Repository
- Chicago History Museum
- Language
- English
- Size
- 1.8 Linear feet
- Dates
- 1930-1965
- Creator
- Mitchell, Arthur Wergs, 1883-1968
Biographical note
Arthur Wergs Mitchell--teacher, lawyer, Congressman and farmer--was born in Roanoke, Alabama, on December 22, 1883, to Taylor and Ammar Mitchell. Both of his parents had been born into slavery, and his father worked as a farmer. From these modest beginnings, Mitchell became the first African American Democrat elected to the United States Congress (on November 6, 1934, representing the First Congressional District in Chicago, Illinois) and remained in office for four terms. He retired in 1942 and moved to Petersburg, Virginia, to work on his farm and to advance racial harmony in the South.
Scope and Contents note
Arthur W. Mitchell Photograph Collection relates to the life and career of Chicago resident Mitchell, U.S. Congressman from Illinois (1st Congressional district, Chicago, 1935-1943) and a prominent black leader.
Processing Information note
This collection was surveyed as part of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium's Survey Initiative on 2010 October 8 by Andrew Steadham.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of Mrs. Arthur W. Mitchell, 1979.