HARPER AT 200
HARPER IN THE ARCHIVES
The Black Women’s Organizing Archive compiled a working directory of Harper’s known papers and collections of primary documents: Papers and Collections: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. The work of locating, reviewing, and editing the directory was conducted by the CBDR’s team members, Sabrina Evans, Arline Wilson, Lauren Barnes, Yolanda Mackey, Sabrina Evans, Takina Walker, Carmin Wong, and Shirley Moody-Turner.
Locating archival materials related to Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is a continuing endeavor. Only less than a decade ago, Harper’s poetry collection Forest Leaves was rediscovered after being lost for more than a century. Forest Leaves is now fully available online through the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Although Harper was a very much loved and respected writer and activist, as the years went by after her death in 1911, she appeared less and less in newspapers, contributing to her shrouded memory. This page foregrounds Harper’s presence in historical newspapers to remind readers of Harper’s significance in nineteenth-century American life and culture. Explore the tabs below to read sketches and profiles about Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and to learn more about how Black and white journalists honored such a monumental figure while she was still alive and at the time of her death.
Sketches
"Success," The Charlotte Democrat, February 6, 1872
“Success,” The Charlotte Democrat, February 6, 1872, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"frances E.W. Harper," West Virginia Freeman, January 20, 1886.
“Frances E.W. Harper,” West Virginia Freeman, January 20, 1886, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"WCTU," The Freeman, July 20, 1887.
Frostburg Mining Journal, July 9, 1887, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"WCTU," The Freeman, July 20, 1887.
“WCTU,” The Freeman, July 20, 1887, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"Woman's True Position," Evening Star, February 25, 1895
“Woman’s True Position,” Evening Star, February 25, 1895, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
Harper’s Published Correspondences
"Letter from Miss Watkins," Anti-slavery Bugle, May 21, 1859
“Letter from Miss Watkins,” Anti-slavery Bugle, May 21, 1859, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"Letter from Ellen Watkins," Anti-Slavery Bugle, July 9, 1859
“Letter from Ellen Watkins,” Anti-Slavery Bugle, July 9, 1859, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
To Elizabeth Jones, Anti-Slavery Bugle, September 29, 1860
To Elizabeth Jones, Anti-Slavery Bugle, September 29, 1860, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"Mrs. Frances E.W. Harper," Evening Star, July 7, 1896
“Mrs. Frances E.W. Harper,” Evening Star, July 7, 1896, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
"Letter from Mrs. Harper," The Freeman, July 6, 1887
“Letter from Mrs. Harper,” The Freeman, July 6, 1887, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress.
Obituaries
"Frances Harper Laid to Rest"
"Great Woman Dead"
"Mrs. Frances Harper Dead"
Credits
Written and compiled by Samantha de Vera