Herman J. Russell 

1930-2014

The Auburn Avenue Research Library honors the life and legacy of Mr. Herman J. Russell.  Mr. Russell's vision and architectural achievements for the city of Atlanta are documented in the personal papers and organizational records of the Rev. Hosea Williams, Ambassador Andrew Young, Harmon Perry and the Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP.  

For more information about the life and work of Mr. Russell, please visit the New Georgia Encyclopedia  (Chenault, Wesley. "Herman J. Russell
(b. 1930)." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 05 June 2014. Web. 17 November 2014.)

-Photograph courtesy of Archives Division, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. Hosea Williams Photograph Collection

GA State Representative Robert “Bob” Holmes, PhD

 Politics in the Archives

Dr. Robert Holmes served as a State Representative in the Georgia General Assembly from 1975 to 2009. Over the years, he rose to be one of the most influential members of that body, becoming the first African American to serve on the Budget Sub-Committee. He served as Director of the Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy from 1985-2005, headquartered at Clark- Atlanta University.

Dr. Holmes was also the Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute from 2002-2005, an organization dedicated to maintaining the rich legacy of

 Du Boisian scholarship.

Dr. Holmes completed his PhD in political science at Columbia University at the age of 25 and went on to hold several prestigious fellowships, including Fellow, Southern Center for International Studies, 1978-1981. He also served as a Danforth Foundation Associate, 1975-1986.

His collection in the AARL Archives includes photographs, correspondence, records of his political contributions, committees served on, national boards of directors served on, speeches, state and national awards; papers presented and published journal articles.

The collection also highlights his role as a founding member of one of the first African American running clubs in the southeastern United States. Holmes has been an avid runner since the early 1970’s.

-Eleanor L. Hunter, Librarian

Auburn Avenue Research Library

Celebrating Baseball:  

Atlanta Black Crackers

In celebration of the 2014 World Series, the AARL Archives travels back to an Atlanta treasure found in the pamphlet collection.  The Atlanta Black Crackers, formerly known as the Atlanta Cubs, began playing minor league baseball in Atlanta in 1919.  The team played in the Negro Southern League and the Negro American League during the first half of the twentieth century.  According to the 1945 Atlanta Black Crackers Publicity Manual, "Well stocked with prewar stars, the Black Crackers have their eyes formed on Southern League pennant for the second straight year, and will display the same brand of ball that made the Atlanta club a tremendous drawing card last season."

For more information on the history of the Atlanta Black Crackers, please visit our previous post about the team.