Guide to the Robert Pierre Johnson Papers

The Robert Pierre Johnson Papers contain both the personal and professional papers of Robert Pierre Johnson, Presbyterian minister and civil rights advocate. This collection, which dates from 1894 to 1974, consists primarily of sermons and lectures authored by Johnson, as well as correspondence that he both sent and received. In addition, a number of records collected by Johnson with respect to various subjects, particularly aspects of the Presbyterian Church and issues regarding the Civil Rights Movement, are also included. The bulk of the material was created between 1940 and 1974, with a single item from 1894. This collection documents the breadth of Johnson's pastoral career, with a particular emphasis on his activities as General Presbyter of the Presbytery of New York City and as Moderator of the Presbytery of Washington City, in addition to his involvement with the Civil Rights Movement. The collection is arranged into three series: "Correspondence, 1936-1972, bulk 1950-1972;" "Subject files, 1894-1972;" and "Writings, 1937-1974."

"Correspondence" includes correspondence sent and received by Johnson between 1936 and 1972 and is further arranged into two subseries: "General correspondence, 1936-1972, bulk 1950-1972" and "Professional correspondence, 1954-1967." "General correspondence" is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the sender or recipient and includes correspondence relating to Johnson's pastoral and business activities, as well as his home life. "Professional correspondence" contains correspondence relating to Johnson's pastoral and business activities and is arranged chronologically. While the majority of Johnson's correspondence is included in this series, there are additional letters present throughout the collection.

"Subject files" includes records created and collected by Johnson relating to a variety of topics. Included in this series are records relating to Johnson's activities in the presbyteries of New York City and Washington City, documents concerning his installation as minister of Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, and material related to his interactions with, and involvement in, legal cases involving the Black Panther Party, specifically Angela Davis. This series is arranged alphabetically.

"Writings" includes public and private documents written by Johnson between 1937 and 1974. This series is further arranged into two subseries: "Sermons and speeches, 1937-1974" and "Other writings, 1939-1940, 1963." "Sermons and speeches" primarily includes public sermons, written throughout Johnson's pastoral career, which cover a wide range of religious, social, and political issues. Civil rights and race relations are particularly common topics. Also included are two speeches and lectures concerning Johnson's reactions to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and his research into the anti-slavery sentiment of Abraham Lincoln. "Other writings" includes documents authored by Johnson for nonprofessional purposes. Included in this subseries is Johnson's notebook from his schooling at Union Theological Seminary, a travel log which documents his experiences on a 1963 trip to Europe, and a copy of Johnson's seminary thesis.

As a whole, the collection documents the activities and experiences of an African American pastor within the Presbyterian Church during the most active period of the Civil Rights Movement, and it provides insight on how race, religion, and politics interacted with one another in mid-20th century America. Researchers interested in Presbyterianism, Civil Rights, and religious thought in general will find use in this collection.