Depictions of the public and private life of Nation of Islam spokesman Malcolm X, mainly in New York City, from 1962 to 1965, the bulk of images dating from 1963 to 1965. Depictions of Malcolm X's personal life and activities before 1963 are limited; his activities outside New York, other than a trip to Florida, are not depicted. The collection consists of candid shots of Malcolm X; group portraits showing Malcolm X with his wife, Betty Shabazz, and their three eldest daughters as children; group portraits and views showing Malcolm X at rallies, public events, a business opening, and meeting with dignitaries and celebrities; and views of other speakers at rallies, anti-police brutality picketers, crowds and audiences, and funeral mourners. Also depicted are a view of the "22 West" Restaurant, and exterior and interior views of the Audubon Ballroom (1992).Of note are views of the Nation of Islam's Harlem Unity Rally, held at Lenox Ave. and West 115th Street, in Harlem (1963); Malcolm X with heavyweight fighter Muhammad Ali during the latter's visit to Harlem (1964); the Organization of Afro-American Unity rally at the Audubon Ballroom (1964), with Zanzabari political leader Abdul Rahman Mohamed Babu and Sudanese cleric Sheikh Ahmed Hassoun in attendance; and views of the mourners and funeral service for Malcolm X at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, in Harlem (1965). Others depicted with Malcolm X include Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., book store owner and activist Lewis Michaux, and comedian Redd Foxx.
Content: All photographs bear photographer's hand stamp. Most items bear handwritten captions on verso; some items bear photographer's mailing label, with typewritten captions, on verso; some items bear printed caption labels on verso. Two items are duplicates.
Date: Most images were captured between 1962 to 1965, and were printed later, possibly in 1992.
Biographical/historical: Robert L. Haggins, 1922-2006, was a Harlem, New York-based photojournalist best known as the personal photographer of Nation of Islam spokesman Malcolm X, from 1959 to 1965. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Haggins started as a darkroom technician during the 1950s, but established his own photographic service from 1957 to 1965. He also worked for the Harlem newspapers New York Age and the New York Amsterdam News. Later in his career, his work was reproduced in numerous publications and presented in several exhibitions. Haggins died in Cambridge, Mass., in 2006.
Physical Description
Extent: 66 items (.2 cubic ft., one box)
Extent: 66 photographic prints : gelatin silver, black and white ; 21 x 26 cm and smaller.
