The Randolph Linsly Simpson Collection of African American History

Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections historical photographic portraits of African Americans dating from 1850 to 1840 including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, and cabinet card photographs. The 500-plus piece collection includes formal studio portraits of politicians and bankers, cowboys, workmen, families, African American men in military service, emancipated slave children, and carnival performers. In the new enlightened era of gaining a better understanding of people of color, this collection will serve inquiring groups well in gaining a firm grasp on African American history.