Page 1 of 19 Rudolph Fisher papers 1919-1983 (bulk 1919-1934) Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu Published in 2008 Brown University Archives
Page 2 of 19 Collection overview Title: Rudolph Fisher papers Date range: 1919-1983, (bulk 1919-1934) Creator: Fisher, Rudolph, 1897-1934 Extent: Abstract: Language of materials: Repository: Collection number: 2.0 Linear feet The Rudolph Fisher papers primarily contain various drafts and published copies of twenty-six Rudolph Fisher short stories and novels, as well as book reviews and essays. The collection also contains correspondence, publicity materials, personal papers, family papers and newsclippings. Materials cover Fisher s life from 1919 to his death in 1934, as well as the work on behalf of Fisher done by his sister, Pearl, until 1983. English Scope & content The Rudolph Fisher papers consist of Fisher s writings, correspondence, publicity and newspaper clippings the majority of which is related to his novels. Also contained in the collection are papers relating to Fisher s immediate family, namely his wife, Jane, son, Hugh and sister, Pearl. Among the highlights of this collection are the twenty-six drafts and manuscripts of Fisher s writings, both published and unpublished. A number of these items are handwritten or contain handwritten edits throughout the piece. Included in the writings are Fisher s famous stories, City of Refuge, "Miss Cynthie, and High Yaller, as well as three printing drafts of Fisher s first novel, The Walls of Jericho. Fisher s writings also contain book reviews written by Fisher for The New York Herald Tribune and other publications. Within the writings are a couple of stories, each known by two different titles. "The Caucasian Invades Harlem" was
Page 3 of 19 published under the title, "The Complexion of Negro Night Clubs." "The Incident in Harlem, or Perryn Joel Passes" was later known as, "Passing for Black: An Incident in Harlem." Correspondence in the collection is comprised of letters to and from Fisher s many publishers, including Atlantic Monthly, Edward O Brien and Story. These publisher letters range from rejection letters to invitations to publish more material. Fan mail also accounts for a number of letters, primarily complimenting Fisher on The Conjure-Man Dies. Personal letters, addressed to Bud, Fisher s nickname, discuss literature and daily events. These include a letter from Nancy Cunard to Rudolph Fisher, from A.D. Mead, Vice President of Brown, to Fisher, and from Langston Hughes to Pearl Fisher. Letters from Edward A. Balloch, Dean of Howard University, and J. Stanley Durkee, President of Howard, address Fisher s funding issues in attending the university. The personal papers of Rudolph Fisher include transcripts from Brown University, death announcements and funeral arrangements. Included in this series are sympathy telegrams from Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Thurston, Countee Cullen, Alain Locke, and other notable figures, to his widow, Jane. Publicity contains the original book jacket draft for The Walls of Jericho. Also included is a review of Fisher s first novel, The Walls of Jericho, by Mary White Ovington, the Chair of the NAACP in 1928. Fisher s dramatic version of The Conjure-Man Dies was performed by the Federal Theatre Project of New York in 1934. This series contains playbills, photographs and programs from this event and the performance in Cleveland, Ohio a few months following. The Rudolph Fisher papers contain helpful information about the writing and publishing process of one of the most prolific writers in the Harlem Renaissance. This collection also contains many of the newspaper and journal articles written about Fisher, both during his life and after, providing an interesting view of the public s response to his life and his work. Arrangement This collection is arranged into the following series: Series 1. Writings Series 2. Correspondence Series 3. Publicity Series 4. Personal Papers Series 5. Family Papers Series 6. Newsclippings
Page 4 of 19 Series 1 (Writings) is comprised of twenty-five short stories, one novel and four book reviews, separated accordingly. Each genre is arranged alphabetically. Series 2 (Correspondence, 1921-1983) contains three subseries; Personal letters to and from Rudolph Fisher, personal letters to and from the Fisher family, and letters to and from publishers. Each subseries is arranged chronologically, with materials at the end of each subseries. Series 3 (Publicity) consists of materials associated with novels, plays and events relating to Rudolph Fisher. The material is arranged by title of the event or publication, and then chronologically. Series 4 (Personal Papers) includes materials relating to Fisher's schooling, health, death and funeral arrangements, arranged chronologically. Series 5 (Family Papers) contains three subseries; Jane Ryder Fisher Papers, Pearl Fisher Papers, and Hugh Fisher Papers. Each subseries is arranged chronologically. Series 6 (Newsclippings) is comprised of newspapers clippings about Rudolph Fisher arranged chronologically. Biographical note Rudolph John Chauncy Fisher, "Bud," was born to Reverend John Wesley and Dora Fisher on May 9, 1897 in Washington D.C. Fisher grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. After graduating from Classical High School in 1915, Fisher went on to Brown University where he majored in English and biology. While at Brown, Fisher won a number of honors, including the Carpenter Prize Speaking contest, and was selected for Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Delta Sigma Rho. Because of his noted oration skills, Fisher was selected to be both Class Day Orator and Commencement Day Speaker for his class of 1919. In 1920, Fisher returned to Brown for his A.M. in biology. Following his Master s degree at Brown, Fisher moved on to medical school at Howard University in Washington D.C. He was equally as successful at Howard and graduated with high honors in 1924. During the same year, Fisher married Jane Ryder, a Washington D.C. school teacher, and fellow minister s child. Fisher was then selected as a Fellow of the National Research Council at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, focusing on biology. In 1927, Fisher began to work in New York City hospitals as a specialist in roentgenology, an early form of radiology. As the Superintendent of
Page 5 of 19 International Hospital in New York City, Fisher conducted a great deal of research and published a number of scientific articles. He was also a First Lieutenant, MC of the 369th Infantry of the New York National Guard. While studying and working in the medical field, Fisher wrote numerous short stories and two novels. The City of Refuge, Fisher s first short story, was accepted for publication at Atlantic Monthly in 1923. Following this first success, Fisher has many stories published in well-known publications such as: Opportunity, Crisis, McClure s, and Story. The City of Refuge and Miss Cynthie were both selected for Edward O Brien s Best Short Stories, in 1925 and 1934. In 1928, Fisher released his first novel, The Walls of Jericho, to rave reviews in both American and British publications. The Conjure-Man Dies, published in 1932, also received strong reviews, hailing Fisher as the first black mystery writer. Fisher also wrote reviews for many titles, including those later recognized as key works of the Harlem Renaissance, printed in The New Amsterdam and The New York Herald Tribune. Before his death in 1934, Fisher dramatized his second novel, The Conjure-Man Dies. Sadly, Fisher died before he saw his play performed by the Federal Theatre Players at the Lafayette Theatre in New York. The play enjoyed a long run at the Lafayette and became an outdoor production, traveling around New York City parks. Later, the play was performed by the Karamu Plays of Cleveland, Ohio also part of the Federal Theatre Project. In addition to his scholarly and writing talents, Fisher was a talented musician. He wrote and arranged many African-American spirituals though he never published them. Notably, he wrote and arranged music for Paul Robeson. Rudolph Fisher suffered from an intestinal ailment in 1934 that required multiple surgeries in six months. The third surgery proved fatal, and Fisher died December 26, 1934. His death was a shock to the black literary community. Jane Ryder Fisher received sympathy notes from Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Thurston, Alain Locke and other known authors and publishers who helped to create the canon of Harlem Renaissance literature. Hughes later wrote admiringly about Fisher in his autobiography, The Big Sea. Access & use Access to the collection: There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some
Page 6 of 19 materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested. Use of materials: Preferred citation: All researchers seeking to publish materials from the collections of the John Hay Library are requested to complete a Notice of Intent to Publish, prior to reproducing, quoting, or otherwise publishing any portion or extract from this collection. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them. Rudolph Fisher papers,, John Hay Library Special Collections Contact information: Administrative information About the collection Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 email: hay@brown.edu Aquisition: Processing information: Donated by Pearl Fisher in April 1951. A later donation was made by Laurel Fisher in March 2003. This collection was arranged and described by Amy Greer, student at the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. About the finding aid Author: Encoding: Finding aid prepared by Amy Greer. This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2013-02-25
Page 7 of 19 Descriptive rules: Additional information Related material: Separated material: Other information: Brown University Archives, Biographical Files Collection Fisher notebook, 1923-1924 (OHA158), Otis Historical Archives, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D.C Fisher (Rudolph) family collection, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, New York Rudolph Fisher collection, 1925-1926, Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University The book signed by Rudolph Fisher is cataloged separately and can be found in the Library's catalog under the heading: Fisher, Rudolph; or, The Conjure-Man Dies: A Mystery Tale of Dark Harlem Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Rudolph Fisher papers Search terms Names: Fisher, Rudolph, 1897-1934 Subjects: African Americans -- New York (State) -- New York -- Harlem African Americans in literature Ezekiel Learns Harlem Renaissance, 1920-1940 Types of materials: black-and-white photographs Clippings Letters (Correspondence) Manuscripts for publication Playbills Serials
Page 8 of 19 Occupations: Authors Physicians
Page 9 of 19 Inventory Series 1, Writings, 2.0 boxes Box 1-3 Container Description Date 1 Book Review: "Black No More" by G. Schuyler, New York Herald Tribune 1931 February 1 2 3 4 5 Book Review: "Black No More" by George Schuyler: Typed Manuscript Book Review: "Infants of the Spring" by Wallace Thurman, New York Herald Tribune Book Review: "One Way to Heaven" by Countee Cullen, New York Herald Tribune Book Review: "Gingertown" by Claude McKay, New York Herald Tribune 1932 February 21 1932 February 28 1932 March 27 6 "Across the Airshaft:" Typed Manuscript 7 "Across the Airshaft:" Typed Manuscript 8 "Across the Airshaft:" Typed Manuscript 9 10 11 "Across the Airshaft:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopy) "The Backslider:" As Published in McClure's "Blades of Steel:" Typed Manuscript 1927 August
Page 10 of 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 "The Caucasian Invades Harlem:" Typed Manuscript "The City of Refuge:" Typed Manuscript with Edits "The Common Meter:" Typed Manuscript "The Common Meter:" As Published in the Illustrated Featrue Section of the Negro News Syndication "The Complexion of Negro Night- Clubs:" As Published in Harper's Bazaar "Dust:" Typed Draft with Edits "The Emancipation of Science:" Typed Manuscript "The Emancipation of Science:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopy) "Ezekiel:" As Published in Junior Red Cross News "Ezekiel Learns:" As Published in Junior Red Cross News "Fire By Night:" Typed Manuscript "Guardian of the Law:" As Published in Opportunity 1930 February 1926 April 1932 Mar 1933 February 1933 March
Page 11 of 19 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 "Harlem, The Negro Metropolis:" Typed Manuscript "Harlem, The Negro Metropolis:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopies) "High Yaller:" As Published in The Crisis "High Yaller:" Illustrated by Laura Wheeler as Published in The Crisis "Incident in Harlem, or Perryn Joel Passes:" Typed Draft with Edits "The Lindy Hop:" Handwritten Manuscript with Edits "The Lindy Hop:" Handwritten Manuscript with Edits (Photocopy) "The Lindy Hop:" Typed Draft with Edits "The Lindy Hop:" Typed Draft with Edits (Photocopy) "The Lindy Hop:" Typed Manuscript "The Lindy Hop:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopy) "The Lost Love Blues:" Typed Draft with Edits "The Lost Love Blues:" Typed Manuscript 1925 October 1925 November
Page 12 of 19 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Box 2, Folder 1 Box 2, Folder 2 Box 2, Folder 3 Box 2, Folder 4 Box 2, Folder 5 Box 2, Folder 6 "The Lost Love Blues:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopy) "The Man Who Passed:" Typed Draft with Edits "The Man Who Passed:" Typed Draft with Edits (Photocopy) "Miss Cynthie:" Typed Draft with Edits "Miss Cynthie:" Typed Draft with Edits (Photocopy) "Miss Cynthie:" Typed Manuscript "Miss Cynthie:" As Published in Story "One Month's Wages:" Typed Manuscript "One Month's Wages:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopy) "Passing for Black: An Incident in Harlem:" Typed Manuscript "Passing for Black: An Incident in Harlem:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopies) "The Perfect Understanding:" Typed Manuscript "The Perfect Understanding:" Typed Manuscript (Photocopy) 1933 June
Page 13 of 19 Box 2, Folder 7 Box 2, Folder 8 "The Promised Land:" Typed Draft with Edits "Ringtail, or Cyril Sebastian Best:" Typed Draft with Edits Box 2, Folder 9 "Skeeter:" Handwritten Manuscript Box 2, Folder 10 Box 2, Folder 11 Box 2, Folder 12 Box 2, Folder 13 Box 2, Folder 14 Box 2, Folder 15 Box 3, Folder 1 Box 3, Folder 2 Box 3, Folder 3 Box 3, Folder 4 "Skeeter:" Handwritten Manuscript (Photocopy) "Skeeter:" Typed Draft with Edits "Skeeter:" Typed Draft with Edits (Photocopy) "War Hero:" Handwritten Incomplete Draft "White Writers of Current Black Fiction:" Handwritten Manuscript "White Writers of Current Black Fiction:" Handwritten Manuscript (Photocopy) The Walls of Jericho: Typed Draft with Edits The Walls of Jericho: Typed Draft with Edits (photocopy), pages 1-112 The Walls of Jericho: Typed Draft with Edits (photocopy), pages 113-224 The Walls of Jericho: Publication Draft with Edits Box 3, Folder 5 The Walls of Jericho: Quarto Draft
Page 14 of 19 Box 3, Folder 6 The Walls of Jericho: Publication Draft Series 2, Correspondence, 5.0 folders Box 4 Subseries 1, Personal letters to and from Rudolph Fisher, 1921-1933 2.0 folders Box 4 Subseries 2, Personal letters to and from the Fisher family, 1935-1983 1.0 folder Box 4 Folder 3 Subseries 3, Letters to and from publishers, 1926-1979 2.0 folders Box 4 Container Description Date 1 2 Personal Letters 1.0 folder Personal Letters 1.0 folder 1921-1932 1932-1933, 4 Letters to and from publishers 1926-1933 5 Letters to and from publishers 1934-1979 Series 3, Publicity, 13.0 folders Box 4 Container Description Date 6 The Walls of Jericho: Original Book Cover Art
Page 15 of 19 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 Folder 4, Reel 16 17 17 Book Review of The Walls of Jericho by Mary White Ovington Advertisement for The Conjure-Man Dies, Publisher's Weekly Newspaper Ad for The Conjure-Man Dies, New York Herald Tribune Biography and Advertisement for The Conjure-Man Dies Book Jacket Playbill from "Conjur-Man Dies" at the Negro Theatre Four Photographs from Performance of "The Conjure-Man Dies" at the Lafayette Theatre Poster from "The Conjure-Man Dies" at the Lafayette Theatre Play poster of "The Conjure-Man Dies" at the Lafayette Theatre "The Conjure Man Dies:" Playbill from Karamu Theatre Brochure for New York Public Library's Schomburg Collection Brief Biography written for New York Public Library Exhibit by Pearl Fisher "Rudolph Fisher's Unpublished Manuscripts: Description and Commentary" by Leonard J. Deutsch 1928 September 21 1932 July 9 1932 Jul 31 1936 March 11 1936 March 11
Page 16 of 19 19 Brown University Transcript, A.B. 1915-1919 and A.M. 1920 1927 August 8 20 21 Letters of Recommendation 1918 Nov 9, 1921 Jun 29 Resume and Publications 1933 22 23 Photograph of Unidentified People Photocopy of Photograph of an Annual Banquet of the Howard Medical Club of New York City 1931 May 01 24 25 Army Death Announcements 1934 December 27 Sympathy Telegram from Alain Locke 1934 December 27 26 27 28 Sympathy Telegrams from Zora Neale Thurston and Countee Cullen Sympathy Telegrams from Rousmanaier Alston and Hubert T. Delany Sympathy Telegrams from Countee Cullen and Blanche and Alfred Knopf 1934 December 27-28 1934 December 27-29 1934 December 28-1935 January 2
Page 17 of 19 29 Funeral Service Music and Program 1934 December 29 Series 5, Family Papers, 6.0 folders Box 4 Subseries 1, Jane Ryder Fisher papers, 1.0 folder Box 4 Folder 30 Subseries 2, Pearl Fisher, 1.0 folder Box 4 Folder 31 Subseries 3, Hugh Fisher, 4.0 folders Box 4 Container Description Date 30 Copyright Renewal of The Conjure-Man Dies 1960 April 6 31 Estate of Pearl Fisher 1976 October 20 32 Letter to Hugh from unknown about "Katcha and the Devil" 33 "Katcha and the Devil: A Musical Play" 1958 34 Photocopy of "Katcha and the Devil" 35 Hugh Fisher's Death Certificate 1964 July 2
Page 18 of 19 Series 6, Newsclippings, 17.0 folders Box 4 Container Description Date 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 Book Reviews of The Walls of Jericho Book Review of The Walls of Jericho, Opportunity Article by Alain Locke in Opportunity, 1928: A Retrospective Review" "The Left Hand of Rudolph Fisher," Providence Journal "Dr. Fisher Pictures to Teachers of English Tragedy of Negro Attempting to be White," Boston Sunday Globe "20,000 in New York Pass for White" and "Literary Drama in Colored," New York Post "Pawtucket Club Hears Authority on Colored Race," Providence Bulletin "A Bookman's Daybook," New York Sun Book Reviews of The Conjure-Man Dies 1928 August 5-1932 February 21 1928 November 1929 January 1929 January 1929 January 1929 January 1929 January 1929 January 1932 July 27-1933 January 1 45 Obituary, New York Amsterdam News 1934 December 29
Page 19 of 19 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 Review of Karamu Theatre's The Conjure-Man Dies, Cleveland Plaindealer "Lafayette Playgroup is on Top," New York Amsterdam News New York Public Library exhibit of Rudolph Fisher, New York Amsterdam News "Our People," New York Amsterdam News WCBS-TV Series Exploring Stories of Langston Hughes and Rudolph Fisher Review of An Anthology of American Negro Literature Photograph of Fisher and other writers, New York Amsterdam News 1936 August 13 1936 August 13 1951 May 12 1951 May 12 1970 March 14