Contents
- Descriptive Summary
- Biographical Note
- Cited Sources
- Scope and Contents note
- Related Archival Materials note
- Processing Information note
- Indexed Terms
- Inventory
Collection Access
Edwin B. Jourdain Jr. Papers
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Edwin B. Jourdain Jr. Papers
- Identifier
- BMRC.SHOREFRONT.JOURDAIN
- Repository
- Shorefront Legacy Center
- Language
- English
- Size
- 4.13 Linear feet
- Dates
- 1900-1952
- Abstract
- The Edwin B. Jourdain Jr. Papers spans from 1900-1952. Jourdain Jr. was the first African American to be elected Alderman in Evanston, Illinois, a position he held from 1931-1947. Jourdain was also the state's first African-American Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Illinois. His father, Edwin Jourdain Sr., was a founding member of the Niagara Movement, a civil rights organization and precursor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The collection contains a handful of Jourdain Sr.'s research files on prominent African Americans, but the bulk of the material concerns Jourdain Jr.'s political campaigns and career.
Biographical Note
Edwin B. Jourdain, Jr. (1900-1986) was the first African American elected as Alderman in Evanston, Illinois, serving the 5th ward from 1931-1947. He also became the state's first African-American Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction and was a lifelong activist fighting for the desegregation of schools and public facilities, equal pay for teachers, and athletic integration. During the 1920s and 1930s, Jourdain Jr. also worked at a number of African-American newspapers in Chicago: he was managing editor at the Chicago Bee, reporter and news editor at the Chicago Defender, and worked at the Chicago Whip. He also started his own newspaper in 1931, the North Shore Guide.
Cited Sources
- Haynes, V. Dion, “Edwin B. Jourdain Jr., 86, 1st Black Evanston Alderman,” Chicago Defender, July 1, 1986.
- Smith, Melvin S., “Born 30 Years Too Soon, Ed Jourdain Emerges As Both Victor and Victim in Local Black History.” CCC Newsette. February 23, 1978. p 5-6.
Scope and Contents note
The Edwin B. Jourdain Jr. papers are organized into five series: “Political Career,” “Research and Writings,” “Edwin B. Jourdain Sr. Files,” “Personal,” and “Photographs.” The material comprising the collection consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence, handwritten speeches, news clippings, meeting minutes, research files, photographs, and memorabilia relating to Jourdain Jr.'s campaigns during his years as Alderman of Evanston, Illinois' 5th ward as well as his personal accomplishments. This collection will be valuable to researchers interested in the Jourdain family, Evanston's African-American history, and Edwin B. Jourdain Jr.'s political career.
Processing Information note
Processed by CLIR funded Black Metropolis Research Consortium “Color Curtain Processing Project.” Processor: Dustin Witsman.
Indexed Terms
- Jourdain, Edwin B., 1900-1986
- Jourdain, Edwin B., b. 1865
- African American legislators
- African American politicians--Illinois--Chicago
- African American-Evanston-Illinois
- African Americans--Illinois--Evanston.
- School integration
- Suburban African Americans--Social conditions--20th century.
Inventory
“Political Career” includes material related to Edwin B. Jourdain Jr.'s time as Alderman of Evanston, Illinois' 5th ward: City Council minutes, speeches, memorandums, correspondence, his loss in 1947, and his bid to run again in 1955.
- Title
- Political Career,
- Dates
- 1931-1955
- Title
- Political Career,
- Dates
- 1919-1963
“Research and Writings” includes Jourdain Jr.'s reports, studies, and research files (comprised of newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and notes) on various aspects of African-American life including race relations, movies, integrated baseball games, and housing. Also included is a file containing material used for a symposium given at Howard University by the African Civilization Section in 1925.
- Title
- Research and Writings,
- Dates
- 1942-1946
- Title
- Research and Writings,
- Dates
- 1925-1945
The “Edwin B. Jourdain Sr. Files” are mostly comprised of notes and research material on prominent African-American figures (Booker T. Washington, Paul Cuffee, Crispus Attucks, Frederick Douglass, etc.)
- Title
- Edwin B. Jourdain Sr. Files
“Personal” contains material relating to Jourdain Jr.'s personal and professional achievements, his children, notebooks, and memorabilia.
- Title
- Personal,
- Dates
- 1933-2003
- Title
- Personal,
- Dates
- circa 1933-1951
“Photographs” contains photographs of both Jourdain family members and well-known African American figures.
- Title
- Photographs,
- Title
- Photographs,