Wolo, Plenyono Gbe, circa 1890-1940

Scope and Contents: The Plenyono Gbe Wolo personal archive contains letters, photographs, notes, and newspapers dating from 1913 to 1941 documenting Wolo’s life and experiences as a Black international student in the United States including his specific activities at Harvard; Christian missionary networks; and education and politics in Liberia during the early 20th century. The collection primarily contains letters written by Wolo to his friend and benefactor Emeline Fletcher Dickerson during his time in the...

Scope and Contents: The Plenyono Gbe Wolo personal archive contains letters, photographs, notes, and newspapers dating from 1913 to 1941 documenting Wolo’s life and experiences as a Black international student in the United States including his specific activities at Harvard; Christian missionary networks; and education and politics in Liberia during the early 20th century. The collection primarily contains letters written by Wolo to his friend and benefactor Emeline Fletcher Dickerson during his time in the...

Overview: This collection contains the papers of educator, theologian, and lawyer Plenyono Gbe Wolo (circa 1890-1940), the first Black African to graduate from Harvard University (AB 1917). It primarily includes letters written by Wolo to his friend and benefactor Emeline Fletcher Dickerson as well as letters between Wolo's benefactors as they secured funding on his behalf. These letters provide insight into the life and experiences of a Black international student at Harvard, Christian missionary...