Collections : [University of Michigan Special Collections Research Center]

J. Louis Engdahl (1884-1932), editor and journalist, was an advocate for labor, socialist, and communist causes. The collection includes letters Engdahl wrote to his wife and daughter, trial transcripts, photographs; Engdahl's original writings; and published works in various formats. Also included are memorabilia, clippings, pamphlets, and other printed material, and artwork.

The J. Louis Engdahl Papers (6.5 linear feet) are divided into seven series: Correspondence, Writings, Chicago Socialist Trial, Scottsboro Trial, Photographs and Artwork, Personal and Memorabilia, and Printed Material.

Highlights of the collection include the letters Engdahl wrote to his wife and daughter, in which loving epithets and stories of day-to-day life mingle with accounts of his work and that of other prominent labor, socialist, and communist figures. The collection contains several pieces of Engdahl's original writings, along with numerous published works in various formats. Causes for which Engdahl fought, both on his own behalf and that of others, are documented through letters, clippings, trial transcripts, and images. Over sixty photographs, as well as various pieces of personal memorabilia, depict both family life and professional associations. Also of note is a portrait of Engdahl by the artist Mitchell Siporin.

A note on names: Throughout the collection, certain individuals are referred to by various alternate names and nicknames. Engdahl himself went by "J. Louis" or more informally, "Louis," rather than his given name of "John." Sophia Levitin Rodriguez is addressed variously as "Sophia," "Sophie," "Sonia," and even by her middle name, "Vera." As mentioned in the biographical portion of this finding aid, Pauline and Louis Engdahl's daughter is also named Pauline. To avoid confusion, within this finding aid, Engdahl's wife is referred to as "Pauline Levitin Engdahl" and their daughter as "Pauline Engdahl." Pauline Engdahl had the family nickname of "Chootch," with variants "Chootchie," "Chuche," etc.

The Oakley Johnson Papers, 1926-1934, 1966-1969, include correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings and other documents relating to the Negro-Caucasian Club and the City College of New York Case which addresses Oakley Johnson's dismissal from the College.

The Oakley Johnson papers date from 1926 to 1934 and from 1966 to 1969, with nothing for the years 1935 to 1965. The collection totals 17 folders or eight inches of material and is arranged in three groupings: University of Michigan Negro-Caucasian Club; City College of New York Case; and Other Papers.

The papers contain Johnson's correspondence in the 1960's with members of the Negro-Caucasian Club, concerning in part a reunion of Club members in 1969. The papers also reflect the controversy surrounding Johnson's dismissal from City College of New York in 1932.

Ann Arbor, Michigan artist, invited to curate show on pornography and prostitution in conjunction with University of Michigan Law School on the subject. Speakers, including Catherine MacKinnon and Andrea Dworkin,, generally opposed pornography and prostitution while artists argued for freedom of expression legalization and legalization of prostitution. Removal of a videotape from the exhibit resulted in controversy and legal action. Includes materials from the exhibit, correspondence, conference files, photos and videotapes.

The records in the Carol Jacobsen Collection are compromised of materials documenting the "Porn'im'age'ry" exhibit, the controversy and negotiations surrounding the exhibit, and materials concerning the issues of prostitution, pornography, sex work, and censorship. The records are organized into six series: Correspondence Files, Press Clippings and Published Material Files, Original Conference Files, Photographs, Protest and Reinstallation Material, and Videotapes.