Franklin Papers Find a Fitting Home

Duke has cemented its place as the primary keeper of John Hope Franklin’s legacy with the acquisition of the late historian and former Duke professor’s personal papers.

The collection, filling more than 300 boxes, includes diaries, correspondence, manuscripts, research files, photographs, and video recordings from throughout Franklin’s career as a historian, activist, and leader. One of the twentieth century’s most distinguished public scholars, Franklin is widely credited with transforming the study of American history through his scholarship, while helping to transform American society through his activism. President Clinton awarded him the Medal of Freedom in 1995. He died in Durham in 2009.

The materials, donated by Franklin’s son and daughter-in-law, will become part of Duke’s John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture, which already houses a smaller set of papers given by Franklin in 2003.