Lot 245: W. E. B. DuBois

W. E. B. DuBois
Influential black writer and educator (1868-1963) who helped transform the prevailing view of his people's role in America. TLS, one page, 8.5 x 5.5, Atlanta University Department of Sociology letterhead, November 21, 1908. Letter to historian Prof. Paul Darmstadter of the University of Goettingen. In full: "I thank you very much for the copy of your History of the United States, which I shall read with very great interest. I am sending you herewith a few trifles which may be of passing interest." In very good condition, with scattered creases and light foxing, a vertical fold passing through a single letter of the signature, light uniform toning, a punch hole to the left side, and pencil notations to the upper right. While at Atlanta University, DuBois published a groundbreaking academic paper, The Philadelphia Negro, the first scientific sociological study performed in the US.