Joint Council Collection:
AD 1433/Cj2.1.6c. Yergan to J. D. Rheinallt Jones, 28 August 1928
AD 1433/Cj2.1.7. Yergan to F. P. Keppel, Carnegie Corporation, 23 November 1927 and “General Statement in Support of the Request for the Building in Connection with the Work of Max Yergan in South Africa…”
Howard Pim Collection:
A 881/Bl1, Correspondence. Letters to Pim. Political (General) S–Z. Yergan to Pim, 21 December 1932
South African Institute of Race Relations Collection:
AD 843/B3.11.1, Notes by J. D. R. Jones on a Memo by M. Yergan, 1934
AD 843/B97.9.2, “Race Problems Acute in South Africa,” by Max Yergan and Oswin Bull, undated [ca. 1930]
The People’s Voice, newspaper:
“On Africa,” 13 February 1943
“Max Yergan on Africa and the War: The Stake of Colonial Peoples in the War,” 13 March 1943, 10
“Max Yergan on Africa and the War,” 20 March 1943, 10
“Max Yergan on Africa and the War,” 27 March 1943, 11
“Max Yergan on Africa and the War,” 3 April 1943, 11
Guest editorial, “Franklin D. Roosevelt: His Monument and Lessons,” 21 April 1945, 16
Guest editorial, “British Labor Victory and the Colonies,” 4 August 1945
“Murder Was in Their Hearts: Eyewitness Account of a City Banning Paul Robeson” 26 April 1947
Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Archives of Labor History, Urban Affairs, and University Archives:
Mary van Kleeck Papers:
Max Yergan Typescript, “Standards of Living in Colonial Areas, As Influenced by Governments,” address given at Annual Summer Conference of the International Industrial Relations Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands, 31 August 1939
Mary White Ovington Papers:
Letter, Yergan to Ovington, 2 August 1929, Box 2, Folder 2-1
World Alliance of YMCAs Library, Geneva, Switzerland:
“I Would Not Be Able to Rest, If I Did Not Go Back to Africa.” All One, Vol. 1, No. 3 (30 November 1921) [New York: YMCA International Committee]
“News from Max Yergan,” No. 1 [1928?] X314.12 (68)
Yergan to W. Gethman, 30 October 1929
Yergan to Miss Una Saunders, 25 April 1932. X 314.12 (67)
George Edmund Haynes, Report of The Young Men’s Christian Association in South Africa (1930)
C. Howard Hopkins, History of the Y.M.C.A. in North America, 1951
Kenneth Scott Latourette, World Service: A History of the Foreign Work and World Service of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States and Canada (New York: Association Press)
Clarence Prouty Shedd, History of the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations. London: Published for the World’s Committee of Young Men’s Christian Associations by S.P.C.K., 1955
World Council of Churches Library, Geneva, Switzerland:
Correspondence between Max Yergan and staff members of World’s Student Christian Federation, 1928–1932 (approx. one hundred letters). See below.
World Student Christian Federation Archives, Geneva, Switzerland:
Box 27, File Sud Afrique, 1922–1924
Box 43–45, File Max Yergan, 1922–1924
Box 69, SCYM, File Questions re race noire
Box 84, File Max Yergan, 1926–1928
Box 98A, File Afrique du Sud, 1926–1928
Box 123, File Max Yergan, 1928–1929
Box 140, File Afrique du Sud, 1928–1929
Box 154, File Max Yergan, 1930
Box 167, File Afrique du Sud, 1930
Box 181, File Max Yergan, 1931
World Student Christian Federation Collection, John R. Mott Papers, John R. Mott Room, Divinity School Library, Yale University:
Manuscript Collection #46:
Box 253, Folder 2119, Correspondence, Mott-Bull, 1906–1909
Box 253, Folder 2120, Correspondence, Mott-Bull, 1910–1925
Box 254, Folder 2129, “Important Letters,” Report of Donald Fraser to Mott concerning 1897 South Africa Tour
Filed in former YMCA Bowne Historical Library, 291 Broadway, N.Y.:
Now held in YMCA of the USA Archives, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Alfred Bitini Xuma Papers:
Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Tvl., So. Africa
Twenty-seven letters exchanged between Xuma and Yergan, l928 – 1942. AD843.
Part 2: Formerly Classified U.S. Government Documents Released through Freedom of Information Act
Department of the Navy. 100.3633:
“Index of Photographs Which Appeared in the Daily Worker from February 2, 1932–December 31, 1942.”
p 34, Yergan, Max. 7/26/38 p. 7.4/14/37 p. 2.
United States Justice Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation:
Of particular interest is the manner in which Yergan’s life was complicated by radical acquaintances—the way the FBI has historically pursued a policy of guilt by association, especially in cases where Communists, real or imagined, may have been involved. This policy has had a particularly chilling effect in cases involving people of color. This is clear from documentation released to me via the FOIA, even though most of it was highly expurgated.
These documents need to be indexed in some way that will render them more decipherable. This guide has been prepared in an effort to address that need. A select listing of the documents is as follows:
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 1, Serials X–48
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 2, Serials 49–73
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 3, Serials 74–111
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 4, Serials 112–117
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 5, Serial 118 only
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 6, Serials 119–145
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 7, Serials 146–158
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 8, Serials 159–181
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 9, Serial 182
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 10, Serial 183–205
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 11, Serial 206–224
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 12, Serials 225–270
Dr. Max Yergan, File No. 100-210026, Vol. 13, Serials 271–306
U.S. Department of Justice. Federal Bureau of Investigation:
Criminal Investigation Division, CRM 6197F
Internal Security Division, 146-7-51-1119
Subversive Organizations Section, 146-28-376, CAA
Subversive Activities Section
Responses to FOIA Requests from FBI Regional Offices:
File 146-200-3652 New York Grand Jury Testimony
Council of African Affairs, 146-28-376
State Department Archives, National Archives Trust Fund Board, National Archives State Department Decimal Files. 811.00B/12-644.
Part 3: Inventory: Writings and Speeches by Max Yergan
“A Y.M.C.A. Secretary in Africa.” Southern Workman 47:8 (August 1918): 401–3.
“The Negro in Africa: No Answer but God.” Association Men 47:12 (August 1922): 561.
“On the Y.M.C.A. in North America.” Manhood: Organ of the Cape Town Y.M.C.A. 3:7 (November 1922): 151–57.
“The Native Students of South Africa and Their Problems.” The Student World 62 (April 1923): 62–67.
Devotional Service, conducted by Max Yergan, of South Africa. Thursday, August 8, 1926. In Youth Faces Life: Being the Report of the Nineteenth World Conference of Y.M.C.A.’s at Helsingfors, August 1–6, 1926. Geneva: World’s Committee of YMCAs, 1926.
“Youth’s Challenge to Youth.” In Thinking with Africa: Chapters by a Group of Nationals Interpreting the Christian Movement. Assembled and edited by Milton Stauffer. Published for the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Mi
ssions by the Missionary Education Movement of the United States and Canada. New York: 1927.
“Race Currents and Conditions in South Africa.” Southern Workman. In two separate installments. Part 1, 56:3 (March 1927): 109–12. Part 2, 56:5 (May 1927): 209–12.
“The Message of the Jerusalem Meeting of the International Missionary Council: Its Significance to South Africa.” In The Realignment of Native Life on a Christian Basis: A Report of the Proceedings of the Seventh General Missionary Conference of South Africa, Held at Lovedale, June 26–29, 1928. 131–52.
Africa, the West, and Christianity. [Speech Presented] for Distribution to the General Committee of the World’s Student Christian Federation [Meeting,] Mysore, India, 5–16 December 1928.
“The Student Christian Association of South Africa (Native Department) from Material Supplied by Rev. Max Yergan, Secretary.” In Christianity and the Natives of South Africa: A Yearbook of South African Missions. n.d. [l928?] Cory Library for Historical Research, Rhodes University Library, Graham-stown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
“African Youth of Tomorrow.” Missionary Review of the World (March 1929): 187–95. Student World (April 1929).
Christian Students and Modern South Africa: A Report of the Bantu-European Student Christian Conference, Fort Hare, June 27th–July 3rd, 1930. Fort Hare: Student Christian Association of South Africa [Bantu Section] Christian Union, 1930.
“New Ventures in Race Relations in South Africa.” Unpublished typescript, WSCF Archives, World Council of Churches, Geneva.
“Aspects of the Present Interracial Situation in Africa.” Student World 23:4 (October 1930): 366–75.
“Human Possibility: Bantu-European Student Conference in South Africa.” Presbyterian Magazine, November 1930, 653–55.
National Negro Congress. Official Proceedings, Feb. 14–16, 1936.
“The Significance of Race in Human Relations.” Friends Intelligencer, 26 February 1938, 135–37.
Gold and Poverty in South Africa: A Study of Economic Organization and Standards of Living. New York and The Hague: International Industrial Relations Institute with the Cooperation of the International Committee on African Affairs, 1938.
“The Status of the Natives in South Africa.” Journal of Negro History 24 (January 1939).
“An Answer to Japanese Propaganda among American Negroes.” China Today 5:8 (May 1939): 9–10, 19.
Democracy and the Negro People Today. An address given at a meeting sponsored by the Church League for Industrial Democracy. October 16, 1940. New York: National Negro Congress, 1940.
“Forgotten Ideas, Forgotten People.” New Masses, 16 February 1941.
Africa in the War. New York: Council on African Affairs, 1942.
Negro America and the War for Survival. People’s World, 1942. An address delivered at the Philharmonic Auditorium, Los Angeles, 17 September 1942. 16 pp.
“Negro Congress Head to Speak Here.” Montreal Daily Star, 27 January 1944.
“Authority on Africa Our Special Speaker.” Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Program Schedule, Week of 6 February 1944.
“Dr. Yergan Speaks in Canada.” Congress Vue, March 1944.
“Africa: New Perspectives.” Main Conference Address, 14 April 1944. In For a New Africa: Proceedings of the Conference on Africa—New Perspectives. Institute for International Democracy, 14 April 1944. New York: Council on African Affairs, 1944.
“The Future of Africa.” New Masses, 18 April 1944.
“An Insult to American Negroes That Did Not Go Unchallenged.” Daily Worker, 4 May 1944.
“There Is a Basis for Solution of Anglo-American Trade Problems.” Daily Worker, 8 June 1944.
“Three Proposals to Make Teheran a Postwar Reality for Colonials.” Daily Worker, 1 July 1944.
“South Africa Has Its Rankins and Bilbos.” Daily Worker, 15 July 1944.
“The Colonial Peoples and World Production Possibilities.” Daily Worker, 22 July 1944.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt: His Monument and Lessons.” Guest Editorial. People’s Voice, 21 April 1945, 16.
“British Labor Victory and the Colonies,” Guest Editorial. People’s Voice, 4 August 1945, 14.
“America’s Stake in Colonial Freedom.” In Trust and the Non Self-Governing Territories. Edited by Merze Tate. Volume 6, number 1 of the Howard University Studies in the Social Sciences. Proceedings of the Conference on Africa held 8–9 April 1947. Speech delivered Wednesday afternoon 9 April 1947. Washington, D.C.: 1947. 48–55.
“I.C.F.T.U.’s Opportunity in Africa.” International Free Trade Union News 5:5 (May 1950): 8.
“Negroes and Democracy in the U.S.” International Free Trade Union News 5:11 (November 1950): 8.
“Negroes and Democracy in the U.S.” International Free Trade Union News 5:12 (December 1950): 12.
“American Racial Policy and the Situation of American Negroes.” Presented to the Indian Congress for Cultural Freedom, Bombay, 28–31 March 1951 (appended to Yergan to Roosevelt, 2 May 1951).
Address, Proceedings of the Open Session (28 March [1951]), and “American Racial Policy and the Situation of American Negroes.” In Indian Congress for Cultural Freedom, March 28 to 31, 1951. Bombay: Kanada Press, 1951. 30–33, 271–81, resp.
“Developments in Africa Today.” Desai Memorial Hall, sponsored by Kenya League, Nairobi, 20 August 1952. Nairobi, Foreign Service Dispatch No. 34, 28 August 1952. (Visit from 14–21 August 1952.)
“Africa: Next Goal of Communists: Interview with Dr. Max Yergan, America’s Foremost Authority on Africa.” U.S. News and World Report, 1 May 1953, 52–63.
Letter to the Editor. New York Times, 10 August 1953.
“The Communist Threat in Africa.” In Africa Today. Edited by Charles Grove Haines. New York: Collingwood Press, 1955; reprinted l968. 262–79.
“Why There’s No Colored Bloc: Interview with Dr. Max Yergan, American Negro Authority on Africa.” U.S. News and World Report, 3 June 1955, 96–97.
Part 4: Articles Written about Max and/or Susie Yergan
“Breaking over Race Lines.” Southwestern Christian Advocate, 27 July 1916. (Profile of Yergan and his mission work in India.)
Stuart, Herbert. “Colonel Newcome in Dar-es-Salaam.” Young Men of India (Calcutta) 29:1 (January 1918): 27–31.
Webster, C. R. “Wide Open Africa.” Association Men 43:6 (New York) (February 1918): 432–33.
Nash, Vernon. “The Y.M.C.A. in East Africa in 1917.” Young Men of India (Calcutta) 29:6 (June 1918): 351–56.
Saunders, Kenneth. “A Forward Move in Africa.” Southern Workman 49 (1920).
“I Would Not Be Able to Rest, If I Did Not Go Back to Africa.” All One, 30 November 1921.
Tobias, Channing H. “A Decade of Student Y.M.C.A. Work.” Crisis 24:6 (October 1922): 265–66.
“Foreign Flashes.” Association Men 18:4 (December 1922): 185. (“Day and night work is necessary, Max Yergan finds in his Cape Province Program. He has already organized 9 Student Christian Associations in 14 educational institutions.”)
“Membership.” Association Men 48:8 (April 1923): 390. (Re: “Dr J. M. Gregory, a black dentist who raised money for support of Max Yergan in South Africa.”)
Article, New York Evening World, 7 February 1927.
“Seeking Greater Justice.” Men of New York, April 1927.
“Race Issue Subject in Northfield Talk: Max Yergan, Negro Y.M.C.A. Secretary in Africa, Speaks at Women’s Conference,” New York Times, 14 July 1927, 9:1.
Bullock, Ralph W. “Max Yergan.” In In Spite of Handicaps. New York: Association Press, 1927.
Ovington, Mary White. “Max Yergan.” In Portraits in Color. New York: Viking, 1927. 31–42.
“Youth’s Challenge to Youth.” In Thinking with Africa: Chapters by a Group of Nationals Interpreting the Christian Movement, Assembled and Edited by Milton Stauffer. New York: Published for the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions by Missionary Education Movement for United States and Canada, 1927.
“Max Yergan of Africa Is Guest of the Cedar Y,” Cleveland Red Triangle (local YMCA publication), 9 January 1928.
Bryan, Helen R. “Max Yergan, Uplifter of South Africa.” Crisis 39:12 (December 1932): 375–76. (Reprinted in Bantu World, 14 January 1933, 9; and idem, 21 January 1933, 9.)
“Eighteenth Spingarn Medal Goes to Max Yergan.” Afro-American, 25 March 1933.
“Max Yergan.” Pittsburgh Courier, 1 April 1933.
“Sees Hope for South Africa.” Boston Chronicle, 15 April 1933.
“Max Yergan Tells Crowd of Work among Africans.” Chicago Defender, 29 April 1933.
“Degrees Awarded 130 at Exercises of Local College.” Springfield (Massachusetts) Daily Republican, 12 June 1933.
“Dr. Max Yergan Is Coming!” 6 December 1933, at the Founders’ Day Celebration, Gammon Theological Seminary. (Handbill, YMCA Headquarters Library.)
Beasley, C. C. “A Negro Leader in South Africa.” Boston Evening Transcript, 19 May 1934.
“Negro for College Post: Max Yergan Recommended for New Course at City Institution.” New York Times, 15 April 1937, 13:3.
Lawrence, Will. “Max Yergan, Progressive Leader.” Daily Worker, 30 September 1938.
“Assails Race Prejudice: Head of African Affairs Group Scores Anti-Negro Feeling.” New York Times, 7 April 1940, 40:6.
“Negro Congress Adjourns in Spirit of Unity.” Daily Worker, 30 April 1940.
“Negroes Are Called to Form ‘2D’ Party: National Congress Head Says Only One Major Group Is Left.” New York Times, 18 November 1940, 7:6.
“City College Removes Yergan, Negro Educator.” Daily Worker, 28 April 1941.
“Start Campaign to Reinstate Dr. Max Yergan.” Daily Worker, 24 May 1941.
“Dr. Yergan Challenges 60 on Civil Rights Sincerity.” Daily Worker, 24 May 1941.
“Boston Negro Paper Assails Yergan Firing.” Daily Worker, 28 May 1941.
“Teachers Union Protests Yergan Firing.” Daily Worker, 30 May 1941.
“Left Wing of Labor for Hitler Defeat.” New York Times, 11 July 1941.
“ALP Expected to Name Dr. Yergan, Eugene Connolly.” Daily Worker, 30 September 1941.
Max Yergan Page 43
