Related Resources

The following links, from the Library of Congress and other institutions, include information and additional images related to activist activities undertaken by African Americans in the 20th century. Some of these resources are available online while viewing others may require a visit to a cultural institution.

The following Library of Congress collections and resources include images of 20th-century African American activists. While many images are available online, there will also be references to many that are only available for in-person research in the Library’s Prints & Photographs Reading Room. Please use our Ask a Librarian service to ask questions about any of the resources listed here

Selected Collections

U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection (1952-1986)
An overview of this collection covering news topics and notable individuals, with particular emphasis on Washington, D.C., and the United States. When searching the online catalogs use usn&wr in your search string along with keyword terms (such as surnames of activists or names of events) to find digitized images from the collection.
New York World-Telegram & Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (bulk 1920 to 1967)
An overview of this collection comprised of newsworthy images predominantly of the New York city metropolitan area, with emphasis on personalities in the news. When searching the online catalogs, use nywts in your search string along with keywords (such as surnames of activists or names of events) to find digitized images from the collection.
Van Vechten Collection (1932-1964)
A description of the Van Vechten Collection, consisting largely of portraits of well-known people. Because the description is embedded within the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog, you can use the search bar on the collection page to look for images by entering surnames of activists.
Bernard Gotfryd Photograph Collection (1943-1994)
A description of the full collection of images by photojournalist Bernard Gotfryd, which is largely comprised of prominent people and events. Search the finding aid, which covers much of the collection (everything apart from the unprocessed color slides), for surnames of activists.
Visual materials from the NAACP records (bulk 1944-1955)
The finding aid for the NAACP records for images of specific activists. You can try entering surnames to find portraits, or use names of events, places, and related organizations and committees to find images that might include specific individuals. LOT 13074, a subgroup within the collection, comprises a group of portraits.
Roll Call portion of CQ Roll Call Photograph Collection (bulk 1988-2000)
A description of the Roll Call portion of CQ Roll Call Photograph Collection, covering activities and events relating to the U.S. Congress.
Congressional Quarterly portion of CQ Roll Call Photograph Collection (bulk 1989-2002)
A description of the Congressional Quarterly portion of CQ Roll Call Photograph Collection, covering activities and events of the U.S. Congress.

Additional Resources from the Prints & Photographs Division

The Civil Rights Era in the U.S. News & World Report Photographs Collection
The images on this page, all from the U.S. News and World Report Magazine Photograph Collection, document aspects of the Civil Rights movement, including efforts to integrate schools, the aftermath of racial violence, and various protests and demonstrations, including the March on Washington.
Sources for Images on African American History
Information about researching African American history and the Civil Rights Movement in the Prints & Photographs Division. The page includes links to lists of images on various topics, additional tips for searching the online catalogs, a list of published sources that may help you locate images of interest in the collections, and links to online exhibits.

Contact the following institutions for information about their resources related to activist activities undertaken by African Americans in the 20th century.

The titles listed below link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are provided when available.

African-Americans and the Quest for Civil Rights, 1900-1990 by Sean Dennis Cashman
ISBN: 0814714412
Published/Created: 1992-12-01
The African-American Mosaic by Debra N. Ham (Editor); Beverly Brannan (Contribution by)
ISBN: 084440800X
Published/Created: 1993-12-01
Available online via HathiTrust External
Civil Rights by Eileen Lucas
ISBN: 0894907298
Published/Created: 1996-01-01
The Civil Rights Movement by Charles Patterson
ISBN: 0816029687
Published/Created: 1995-08-01
Mine Eyes Have Seen by Bob Adelman
ISBN: 9781603200004
Published/Created: 2007-11-20

African American Activists of the 20th Century: Selected Pictures

Prints & Photographs: Ask a Librarian

Related Resources

Selected Collections

Additional Resources from the Prints & Photographs Division