Elma Stuckey papers, 1895-2001

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  • Creator Names Stuckey, Elma, 1907-1988.
  • Title Elma Stuckey papers [manuscript], 1895-2001, bulk 1940s-1988.
  • Physical description
    • 9.5 linear ft. (23 boxes)
    • 1 oversize folder.
    • 8 sound tapes. (Original).
    • 15 sound cassettes. (Original).
  • Access and usage restrictions For listening purposes, it is necessary to use a copy, not the original (and to have a listening copy made if one is not available).
  • Collection summary
    • Autobiography; biography by her son, Sterling Stuckey; manuscripts of published and unpublished poetry by Elma Stuckey, and reviews and commentaries on her work; correspondence; incoming greeting cards, financial and medical records, and other papers of Stuckey, a Chicago resident who became famous for her poetry, which often dealt with slavery and its legacy in the United States. Correspondents include her son (especially while he served in the U.S. Army, 1956-1957); her daughter, Delois Jean Stuckey Morrison; her aunt, Vivian E. Johnson Cook, known as "Aunt Sweet," 1914-1977; her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Johnson.
    • Also present are materials relating to her husband, Ples Sterling Stuckey; correspondence between Evelyn V. Johnson, James Thomas Johnson ca. 1920s-50s, and other relatives; and Sterling Stuckey's correspondence about his efforts to promote his mother's literary career and public renown, ca. 1970-2001. Some materials relate to Memphis, Tennessee, where Elma Stuckey was born and several Johnson family members resided. Includes items about the family's interest in Manassas High School (Memphis), which Elma Stuckey attended. The school was founded by African Americans, including Spencer Johnson, and celebrated its centennial in 1999.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Dr. P. Sterling Stuckey (1998.0154; 2000.0091; 2005.0071; 2008.0012.1; and 2009.0108.1).
  • Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Copyright owned by Sterling Stuckey was retained by him. The Rights & Reproductions Dept., Chicago History Museum, may make copies of collection items but may not authorize any person to reproduce, disseminate, or publish collection items.
  • Finding Aids Note Descriptive inventory available online.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Elma Stuckey was born 1907 March 15 and died 1988 Sept. 25.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related material at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, includes the Sterling Stuckey papers; the Elma Stuckey family photograph collection (1998.0154); the Elma Stuckey photograph collection (2005.0071); and publications cataloged separately. Artifacts related to Elma Stuckey also are in the collection of Chicago History Museum.
  • Names
    • Stuckey, Elma, 1907-1988 Archives.
    • Stuckey, Elma, 1907-1988 Criticism and interpretation.
    • Stuckey, Sterling Correspondence.
    • Stuckey, Ples Sterling, 1904-1975.
    • Cook, Vivian E. Johnson.
    • Johnson, Clifford.
    • Johnson, Clifford, Mrs.
    • Johnson, Evelyn V.
    • Johnson, Fred.
    • Johnson, Mollie Stafford.
    • Johnson, Spencer.
    • Thomas, James Thomas.
    • Morrison, Delois Jean Stuckey, 1929-1979.
    • Johnson family.
    • Manassas High School (Memphis, Tenn.)
    • Stuckey, Sterling.
    • Cook, Vivian E. Johnson.
    • Johnson, Clifford.
    • Johnson, Clifford, Mrs.
    • Johnson, Evelyn V.
    • Thomas, James Thomas.
    • Morrison, Delois Jean Stuckey, 1929-1979.
    • Roediger, David.
    • Terkel, Studs, 1912-2008.
  • Subjects
    • African American women poets Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • African American families Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • African American families Tennessee Memphis 20th century.
    • American poetry African American authors 20th century.
    • Poets, American 20th century.
    • Slavery United States Poetry.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Intellectual life 20th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 20th century.
    • Memphis (Tenn.) Social conditions 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Audiocassettes. aat
    • Audiotapes. aat
    • Autobiographies. aat
    • Biography. aat
    • Christmas cards. gmgpc
    • Greeting cards. gmgpc
    • Manuscripts for publication. aat
    • Marriage certificates. aat
    • Poetry. aat
    • Photocopies. aat
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-S/StuckeyE-inv.htm