Claude M. Lightfoot papers

  • Creator Names Lightfoot, Claude M., 1910-1991.
  • Title Claude M. Lightfoot papers [manuscript], 1955-1991.
  • Physical description
    • 1.5 linear ft. (3 boxes)
    • 8 sound cassettes
  • 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 Correspondence, speech and manuscript notes and drafts, publicity information, reviews of his books, and news clippings, drafts and copies of Lightfoot's newspaper columns in the Chicago Courier, award certificates, and other papers of Claude M. Lightfoot, an African American author, Chicago resident, political candidate, and member of the Communist Party U.S.A.'s national committee. Topics are court actions against him relating to his Communist affiliation; his political activities as an advocate for racial and political equality; and his views, stated in speeches that he presented on U.S. campuses and in Eastern Europe, advocating a Marxist path for Black liberation. Sound recordings include speeches by and about Lightfoot.
  • Finding Aids Note Finding aid available online.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include documents from Lightfoot's prosecution under the Smith Act, including records of the Lightfoot Defense Committee, that are located in the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights records. Also at the Research Center are the Claude M. Lightfoot collection of visual materials (1986.0823); and several items by and about Lightfoot in the library. A medal from the Soviet Union is in Decorative and Industrial Arts.
  • Names
    • Lightfoot, Claude M., 1910-1991 Archives.
    • Communist Party of the United States of America.
    • Communist Party of the United States of America
  • Subjects
    • African American authors Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • African American communists Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • African American politicians Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • African Americans Civil rights 20th century.
    • Authors, American Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Blacks Race identity 20th century.
    • Communism United States 20th century.
    • Communist trials United States 20th century.
    • Internal security United States 20th century.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Race relations 20th century.
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social conditions 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Articles. aat
    • Audiocassettes. aat
    • Correspondence. aat
    • Manuscripts for publication. aat
    • Periodicals. aat
    • Speeches. aat
  • Uniform title Political affairs (Periodical)
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.
  • Finding aid URL Finding aid available online http://chsmedia.org/media/fa/fa/M-L/LightfootC-inv.htm