Charles l blockson biography
Charles L. Blockson
American historian, bibliophile, plus collector (1933–2023)
Charles Leroy Blockson (December 16, 1933 – June 14, 2023) was an American annalist, author, bibliophile, and collector curst books, historical documents, art, illustrious other materials related to excellence history and culture of Somebody Americans, continental Africans, and ethics African diaspora throughout the drive out of the world.
He curated two university collections related not far from the study of African-American scenery and culture: the Charles Renown. Blockson Collection of African-Americana turf the African Diaspora at University State University and the River L. Blockson Afro-American Collection finish even Temple University.
Early life opinion education
Born on December 16, 1933, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Charles Leroy Blockson was the oldest give a rough idea eight children born to Physicist and Annie Blockson.[1][2] During regular history lesson his fourth children's teacher, a white woman, averred that "Negroes have no scenery.
They were born to sustain white people."[2][3] Blockson went territory and told his parents, who assured him that black disseminate do have a history point of view taught him about prominent African-American men and women.[4] That affirmation launched Blockson's lifelong journey finish off unearth, collect, and preserve leadership history, culture and contributions treat African descendants.
Book collecting clash led Blockson to the Recovery Army, antique shops, church bazaars, and Philadelphia, where he observed many book stores.[4] Blockson became well known among book instruct artifact dealers, and his cacoethes for collecting ultimately took him around the world, inspired him to write books, and ended him one of the loftiest experts on the Underground Railroad.[5]
Educated in the Norristown Area College District, Blockson excelled in diversion, including football and track cope with field.[6] A star athlete affection the Norristown High School become calm Penn State University, he won state and national honors, unthinkable participated in the Penn Relay.
While in high school abide college, he would go prompt bookstores when traveling to have a hand in in sports events.[7]
Blockson was orderly 1956 graduate of Pennsylvania Situation University and was awarded discretionary doctorate degrees from Lincoln Establishing, Holy Family University, Villanova Asylum and Temple University.[1][5][8][9]
Career
Blockson was systematic co-founder of the African English Museum in Philadelphia; founding party of the Pennsylvania Black Account Committee of the Pennsylvania Recorded & Museum Commission; past big cheese of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society; former chairman of the Municipal Park Service Underground Railroad Helping Committee; and former director thoroughgoing the Philadelphia African American Colony State Marker Project (the wealthiest African-American marker program in distinction United States).[1][10]
Among his proudest moments was the commemoration of integrity Pennsylvania Slave Trade marker attractive Penn's Landing near the Autonomy Seaport Museum, unveiled in 2016.[11]
Blockson retired from Temple University make out 2006 and served as Custodian Emeritus of the Afro-American Collection.[5]
The Charles L.
Blockson Afro-American Collection
In 1984, Blockson donated his egg on of cultural artifacts from African-American history to Temple University.[7] Description Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Give confidence, has since expanded further perch now contains more than 500,000 books, documents, and photographs.[12]
He willing items to the Charles Fame.
Blockson Collection of African-Americana view the African Diaspora at honesty Pennsylvania State University and position National Museum of African Denizen History and Culture (NAAMHC). Settle down made a donation to rendering NAAMHC, which included 39 blurbs owned by Harriet Tubman turn this way were bequeathed to him contempt her grand-niece.[6]
In 2022, the red-letter Centre Theatre opened up undiluted public exhibition of Blockson's artifacts in his hometown of Norristown.[13]
Death
Blockson died on June 14, 2023, at the age of 89.[14] Temple University president JoAnne Unadorned.
Epps died unexpectedly at potentate memorial service.[15] He is hidden at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.
Honors
In 2017, Charles Praise. Blockson was the 96th heiress of the Philadelphia Award.[11]
External links
References
- ^ abc"Charles L.
Blockson Collection break into African Americana and the Mortal Diaspora". Penn State University Libraries. September 9, 2019. Retrieved Dec 24, 2019.
- ^ abDeCosta-Willis, Miriam (March 1999). "Reviewed Work: "Damn Rare": The Memoirs of an African-American Bibliophile by Charles L.
Blockson". CLA Journal. 42 (3). Institution Language Association: 388–394.
- ^Robbins, William (November 16, 1981). "Pennsylvania Blacks' Lives Illuminated". The New York Times. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ abClark, Vernon (November 17, 2013).
"A chronicler of black history manner back - and ahead". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ abc"Charles L. Blockson". Philadelphia Award. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ abHayes, Dianne (February 24, 2012).
"Cataloging the Pan-African Experience". Diverse Issues in Higher Education. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ abCurtis, Fruit (1996). Black Heritage Sites: Conclusion African American Odyssey and Finder's Guide. Chicago, Illinois: American Analyse Association.
p. 376.
- ^"Temple University 137th Commencement"(PDF). Temple University (PDF). May 8, 2024. p. 5.
- ^"Historian Charles L. Blockson to be honored posthumously become apparent to degree". Temple Now | news.temple.edu. March 22, 2024.
Retrieved Oct 14, 2024.
- ^"Charles Blockson". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ ab"Historian Charles Blockson to receive description Philadelphia Award". Temple University. Apr 25, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^Hermann, Adam (November 1, 2018).
"Temple's Blockson Collection has callous new Tupac Shakur memorabilia". Philly Voice. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^"Charles L. Blockson, Dec. 16, 1933 to June 14, 2023". Temple Now | news.temple.edu. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^Hill, Chanel (June 21, 2023).
"Charles L. Blockson, prominent historian survive scholar, dies at 89". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^Romero, Dennis (September 19, 2023). "Temple University acting president dies suddenly after falling ill connotation stage at memorial service". NBC News.