Claude F. Sitton has given his personal library of Civil Rights Movement books to the Oxford College Library. Sitton covered the Civil Rights Movement for the New York Times before becoming their national news director. In 1968, he became editorial director of the Raleigh News and Observer and Raleigh Times and was promoted to editor and vice-president of the News and Observer publishing company. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1983. He was an Oxford graduate and received his bachelor and graduate degrees from Emory.
Unique features of this collection include:
Author Signatures – Many of Dr. Sitton’s books were signed by the authors. Several include personal messages thanking him for his work and for his influence.
Dr. Sitton’s notes – Many of the texts contain Dr. Sitton’s personal notes, used for his writing and teaching. The notes are scribbled on the front pages and along the margins.
Clippings – Several books contained newspaper clippings. These have been archived together into a manuscript collection and will be available to researchers as well.
Anyone interested in using this collection may make an appointment at the Oxford Library information desk. Researchers should also note that Mr. Sitton gave his personal papers to Emory’s Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library. The Finding Aid for his papers is available through this link, Claude Fox Sitton Papers, Circa 1958-2004.
Bibliography and Related Links:
175 Makers of History: Claude F. Sitton
Claude Sitton, Reporting Civil Rights website
Claude Sitton, New Georgia Encyclopedia website