Man of Color. An Autobiography. A Factual Report on the Status of the American Negro Today

Somerville, Dr. J. Alexander

Published by New Beacon Books, Los Angeles, 1949

About this Item

Near Fine, slight corner bumps, on a Near Fine dust jacket, a few small closed edge tears and a few spots of toning rear panel."In this autobiography, [the author] tells us the events of his life over the past fifty years. It is, too, a brief history of Los Angeles from the turn of the century--certainly, as far as the Negroes in Los Angeles are in the picture . This story is one of victory over the 'color bar'"--(Preface, by Willis O. Tyle). Dr. J. Alexander Somerville(1882-1973) "emigrated to the United States from Jamaica around 1900. He and his wife, Vada Watson Somerville, were both graduates of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Graduating with honors in 1907, he was the first black graduate, and his wife was later the first black woman graduate. In 1914, only three years after its founding in New York City, New York, the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP was created at the home of John and Vada Somerville. His first major business venture, the Somerville Hotel, was a principal African American enterprise on Central Avenue, in the heart of the Los Angeles African American community. When it opened in 1928 it was one of the most upscale black hotels in the United States, and counted a number of African American celebrities among its guests. In 1953 he was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II."( Smith, A. (2007, January 21). John Alexander Somerville (1882-1973). BlackPast) Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall.

Seller Inventory # 010262

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Man of Color. An Autobiography. A Factual Report on the Status of the American Negro Today
• Publisher: New Beacon Books, Los Angeles
• Publication Date: 1949
• Binding: Cloth
• Edition: 1st Edition.
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Book Type: Book
• Seller catalogs:
  • Sociology
  • U.S. History
  • African-American Studies