Louise Thompson Patterson

A Life of Struggle for Justice

by Keith Gilyard

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Pub Date Oct 05 2017 | Archive Date Sep 15 2017

Duke University Press | Duke University Press Books

Biographies & Memoirs | History

Description

Born in 1901, Louise Thompson Patterson was a leading and transformative figure in radical African American politics. Throughout most of the twentieth century she embodied a dedicated resistance to racial, economic, and gender exploitation. In this, the first biography of Patterson, Keith Gilyard tells her compelling story, from her childhood on the West Coast, where she suffered isolation and persecution, to her participation in the Harlem Renaissance and beyond. In the 1930s and 1940s she became central, along with Paul Robeson, to the labor movement, and later, in the 1950s, she steered proto-black-feminist activities. Patterson was also crucial to the efforts in the 1970s to free political prisoners, most notably Angela Davis. In the 1980s and 1990s she continued to work as a progressive activist and public intellectual. To read her story is to witness the courage, sacrifice, vision, and discipline of someone who spent decades working to achieve justice and liberation for all.

Advance Praise

“Bravo! Another elegant, inspiring and complex chapter in the history of Black radical internationalism has been written. And not surprisingly, the brazen intellectual and organizer at the center of the story is a woman. In this case that woman is the passionate, persistent, and worldly Louise Thompson Patterson. Professor Gilyard has given us a great narrative gift in this thoroughly researched and powerfully written biography of such an important figure in Black left history.” — Barbara Ransby, author of Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9780822369929
PRICE	$26.95 (USD)
PAGES	320

Additional Information

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Featured Reviews

Anna A, Reviewer

The time between the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights movement was interesting - this book taught me that. As an activist during that time period, Louise Thompson Patterson lead the way for future generations of activists and encouraged them to do the important work they lead in the 1960's and 70's. I honestly knew very little about the individuals and work involved in that time period until I read this book. This new understanding has changed my perspective of America in the early part of the 20th century.
The thing I found most interesting about Louise's story is her association with the Communist party and Russia. During the 1930's, this wasn't too big of a deal. However, during the 50's and 60's, a closeness with Russia was a much more tenuous relationship. Louise's trip to Russia in the 30's especially intrigued and fascinated me - what a strange intermixing of so many different issues, cultures, and ideologies.
This is an excellent book for activists to read for a better understanding of the issues leading up to the Civil Rights movement and also for some connection with Louise and her activism.