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Roland M. Frye papers

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS1222

Scope and Contents

This collection contians letters, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, correspondence, and emphemera that document Roland Mushat Frye Sr's work integrating schools and universities in Atlanta, Georgia. The bulk of the collection focuses on his work with Help Our Public Education (HOPE) and the Southern Presbyterian Church.

Dates

  • 1954-2022, undated

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Biographical / Historical

Roland Mushat Frye Sr. (1921-2005) was an Atlanta-based Civil Rights activist. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, to John H. Frye (1872-1943) and Helen Mushat Frye (1880-1959). In 1947 Frye married Jean Elbert Steiner (1921-2009), and the couple had one son, Roland M. Frye Jr.(1949- ). Frye Sr. was an English professor at Emory University and later at the University of Pennsylvania, during which time he lived in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He was also a Presbyterian Church leader. Frye helped implement the integration of schools and universities in Atlanta, particularly as a leader of Help Our Public Education (HOPE), a pro-integration organization. In addition, he drafted several manifestos on the subject, including the 1958 Atlanta Manifesto and the Emory University Faculty Manifesto. Also involved in politics nationally, he working against the anti-intigrationist Harry F. Byrd and his political machine in Virginia.

Extent

0.417 linear ft. (one document case and one oversize folder)

Language

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by titles supplied by staff.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 2022

Existence and Location of Copies

This collection was partially digitized by JStore's Reveal Digital collection Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movements. It is viewable at https://www.jstor.org/site/reveal-digital/behind-the-scenes-civil-rights-movements.

Content Advisory

This collection contains original unedited versions of all content. Some material may contain depictions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There may be instances of racist language and depictions. These items are presented as part of the historical record for the purpose of education and research. The viewpoints expressed in this collection do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers.

Bias in Description

As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information. We choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, and bias is reflected in our descriptions, which may not accurately convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materials. Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment. In working with this collection, we often re-use language used by the former owners of the material. This language provides context but often includes bias and prejudices reflective of the time in which it was created. The Kenan Research Center’s work is ongoing to implement reparative language where Library of Congress subject terms are inaccurate and obsolete. 

Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or descriptions, please let us know by emailing reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2022.

Title
Roland M. Frye papers
Subtitle
ahc.MSS1222
Author
Maddy Long
Date
May 2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

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