Roi Ottley
| Roi Ottley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Vincent Lushington Ottley August 2, 1906 New York City, New York, United States |
| Died | October 2, 1960 (aged 54) |
| Occupation | writer, journalist, broadcaster |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | American |
| Notable works | New World A-Coming: Inside Black America |
Vincent Lushington "Roi" Ottley (August 2, 1906 — October 2, 1960) was an American journalist and writer.[1][2] Although largely forgotten today, he was among the most famous African American correspondents in the United States during the mid-20th century.[3]
Early life
Ottley was born in New York City on August 2, 1906, to Jerome Peter and Beatrice Ottley, the second of their three children.[1] He attended public schools in the city,[2] and in 1926 went to St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, New York.[1][4] From 1928 he studied journalism at the University of Michigan. He later studied part-time at St. John's Law School[1] and Columbia University, both in New York City.[2][4]
Career
Ottley worked for the Amsterdam News from 1931 to 1937.[1] In 1943 he published New World A-Coming: Inside Black America, which described life for African Americans in Harlem, New York City, in the 1920s and 1930s.[2][3][4] The book won the Life in America prize, an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and a Peabody Award, and was adapted for radio.[1][2][4]
During World War II Ottley reported from Europe for Liberty Magazine, PM, and the Pittsburgh Courier.[1][4]
He later worked for the Chicago Tribune, and for CBS and BBC radio.[1]
Ottley's other published works include Black Odyssey: The Story of the Negro in America, 1948; No Green Pastures, 1951; and Lonely Warrior: The Life and Times of Robert S. Abbot, 1955. Two were published posthumously: White Marble Lady in 1965, and The Negro in New York: An Informal Social History, 1626–1940 in 1967.[1]
Death
Ottley died on October 2, 1960 from a heart attack.[1][2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Roi Ottley Was An Outstanding Writer". www.aaregistry.org. African American Registry. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ottley, Vincent Lushington ("Roi")". blackpast.org. BlackPast.org. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- 1 2 McWhirter, Cameron. "Roi Ottley: An African-American Journalist Covers World War II". niemanreports.org. NiemanReports. Retrieved 11 February 2015.