Oral history interview with Longworth Quinn, 1971.

Biographical Note

Longworth Quinn was born in Louisiana. He studied at the Hampton Institute in Virginia and pursued graduate work at Northwestern University, while writing for the Chicago Defender. In 1949, he became the business manager of the Michigan Chronicle and served as its publisher from 1968 to 1986. In 1985, he became the first black inductee into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.

Scope and Contents

In this 1971 interview, Longworth Quinn begins with an overview of his youth, education, and early career as a journalist. Quinn discusses: how black newspapers have changed during his time in the industry; how he has helped specific journalists to achieve success; the differences between the black and white press; and why he believes that the future is promising for the former. Quinn examines the accomplishments and challenges facing the black press, and its impact on American society.

Subjects

• African American journalists.
• African American press.
• African Americans--Civil rights.
• Chicago defender.
• Detroit (Mich.)--Newspapers.
• Interviews.
• Journalism--Political aspects.
• Journalists--Interviews.
• La Brie, Henry G., interviewer.--http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/ivr
• Oral histories (literary works)
• Quinn, Longworth--Interviews.
• United States--Race relations.