For more than 25 years, Randolph Linsly Simpson, a white man, collected objects relating to the African-American experience. He developed a deep appreciation for African-American culture that dates to his childhood in Rochester, New York. His passion for collecting grew over the years, fueled by a desire to preserve the material record of black history in America which was rapidly disappearing.
The Collection is one of many housed in the Beinecke Library that documents American history in all its aspects. The collection includes formal studio portraits of politicians and bankers, cowboys, workmen, families, African-American men in military service, emancipated slave children, and carnival performers.
A young black woman, seated, holding nine string banjo
A black man playing the fiddle
A black man seated holding book, right arm resting on column
A black woman seated with white child in lap, white boy stands with hand on her shoulder
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