Simmons, Roscoe Conkling, 1881-1951
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1878 - 1951
Biographical note
Roscoe Conkling Simmons (born 1878 or 1881, died 1951) was an African-American orator, civic leader, journalist and politician. He graduated from Tuskegee Institute in 1899. He served as head of the Colored Division of the Speakers' Bureau of the Republican National Committee in 1920, 1924, and 1928. He was an advisor to three American presidents. He worked for the Chicago Defender from 1916 through the mid-1930s, and for the Chicago Tribune from the late 1940's until his death in 1951.
Footnote on birth date
The date of his birth is uncertain. Obituaries state his age in 1951 as anywhere between Simmons' own assertion that he was sixty-three and his oldest friends' statements that place his age nearer to seventy-five. A birth date of June 20,1878 in Greenview Mississippi is listed in the earliest inventories of his papers produced by the Harvard University Archives. A passport appliction holds a 1918 certification of birth signed by his parents that state the year and place of his birth as 1881 in Macon, Mississippi. See Kaye, Andrew M. Roscoe Conkling Simmons and the Mechanics of Black Leaderhisp, 1899-1951 (Thesis, doctoral--University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2002), p. 23 for a full note on the evidence for various dates and places of birth.
Found in 90 Collections and/or Records:
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, facing right, wearing pince-nez, 1920?
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 4Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (26)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, 1910s
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 1Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (3)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, 1910s
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 1Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (4)
Description:
Studio portrait. Inscribed on front: Ever yours, Roscoe.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, facing front, 1910s
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 3: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 2Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (189)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, facing left, wearing pince-nez, 1920
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 3: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 1Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (75)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, facing left, wearing pince-nez, 1920
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 3: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 1Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (76)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, wearing pince-nez, 1910s
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 2Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (13)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, wearing pince-nez, 1920
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 2Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (15)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, half-length portrait, sitting, wearing pince-nez, 1920
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 2Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (16)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front, 1910s
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 3Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (21)
Description:
Studio portrait, retouched.
Roscoe Simmons, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front, 1950
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 12Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (78)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front, 1950
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 12Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (79)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front, wearing wide-brimmed hat, 1927
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 3: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 2Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (188)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing left, 1920s
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 5Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (33)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing right, 1930s?
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 9: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 1Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (80)
Description:
Reproductions of portrait photographs used for paste up.
Roscoe Simmons (left and right frames) and Phil A. Jones (center frame) with his wife and children, 1925
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 8Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (46)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons (left) standing with an unidentified woman and man, 1920s?
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 11Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (64)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons on stage speaking to an African American audience, 1920
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 6Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (34)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons on stage speaking to an African American audience, possibly at a Baptist Training Union meeting in Detroit, 1945?
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 8Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (50)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons posing with his aunt Margaret Murray Washington, 1920
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 12Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (70)
Description:
Portrait photograph probably taken at Tuskegee Instutute.
Roscoe Simmons posing with his oldest son Roscoe Conkling Simmons Jr., 1910
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 12Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (68)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons posing with his second wife Althea and two sons William Murray (right) and Thomas Murray (left), 1936 or 1937
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 12Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (71)
Scope and Contents:
Most of the identifiable photographs are signed or unsigned portraits of Simmons, his family, and political colleagues or other prominent Americans, especially members of the African-American community. There also numerous photographs of unidentified group events, such as graduations or funerals, as well as photographs of unidentified monuments and buildings. Simmons' apparent interest in United States foreign policy and military actions is evident in this series....
Roscoe Simmons, probably before a speaking engagement in Los Angeles, standing on stage with two unidentified women and six men, including two in uniform, probably 1941
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 9Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (53)
Description:
News photograph.
Roscoe Simmons (right) and unidentified man, 1920s?
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 3: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 1Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (77)
Description:
Studio portrait.
Roscoe Simmons (right, holding a framed photograph of himself standing in line with other men dressed in military uniforms) sitting with an unidentified man (holding a framed photograph of boxer Joe Louis), 1942
FOUND IN:
Harvard University Archives
/
Collection:
Papers of Roscoe Conkling Simmons, 1875-1951
/
Series:
Photographs
/
Sub-Series:
Photographs of Roscoe Conkling Simmons
photoDescriptionUnit — Box HUM 2.85 Box 1: Series HUM 2.85, Box: Folder 11Identifier: HUM 2, HUM 2.85, HUM 2.85 (62)
Description:
Probably a news photograph.
REFINE MY RESULTS:
- Type
- Archival Object 88
- Collection 2