Lucius T. Outlaw Jr. papers
Scope and Contents
The collection has been separated into four series. The first, Correspondence, contains letters and emails primarily concerning Outlaw’s professional life, and personal relationships with fellow scholars. His own replies are well-represented throughout the collection. The bulk of the correspondence is arranged chronologically, although there are also two subseries dedicated to Africana Philosophy and letters of recommendation, in accordance with internal organization.
The Teaching Career series includes correspondence, memos, minutes, course materials, sylllabi, and assorted other documentation regarding Outlaw’s career as a professor. The bulk of the series is dedicated to his tenure at Haverford College (1980 to 2001), including both and engagement with campus life via the Philosophy Department, the Diversity Committee, and the Academic Support Working Group.
The Academic Organizations and Resources series contains materials related to Outlaw’s non-teaching academic commitments, including conferences, academic organizations, and his engagement with scholarly literature. Subseries i primarily consists of conference brochures, schedules, and notes, as well as correspondence with conference organizers or attendees. Subseries ii contains a wide range of materials, including internal memos, publications, and correspondence related to independent organizations that Outlaw supported or served as a member of. Subseries iii includes both publications and unpublished drafts saved by Outlaw, many of which were sent directly to him from various colleagues for comment or reference.
The Writing series consists of published works, reading notes, outlines and drafts, and the text of public appearances and lectures. Some files also contain limited correspondence regarding the publication of these works.
Dates
- Creation: 1970 - 2021
Creator
- Outlaw, Lucius, Jr., 1944- (Person)
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research use
Use Restrictions
Standard Federal Copyright Law Applies (U.S. Title 17)
Biographical / Historical
Lucius Outlaw was born in 1944 in Starkville, Mississippi. He received his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Fisk University in 1967 and attended Boston College to study for his PhD. While at Boston College, he met his wife, Freida Hopkins Outlaw (PhD/APRN), who works in the field of public health. They have three sons: Lucius Outlaw III, Kofi, and Chike.
After receiving his PhD, Outlaw went on to teach for six years at Fisk University, his alma mater, and has subsequently worked as a full professor at Haverford College and Vanderbilt University, with visiting professorships at Morgan State University, Spelman College, Temple University, Boston College, and Howard University.
His specialties include Africana philosophy, the history of philosophy, race in American and European philosophy, and social/political philosophy. The collection documents Outlaw’s teaching and writing careers, as well as his mentorship of other academics, his promotion of Africana philosophy and Black philosophers, and his extensive participation in professional organizations.
Extent
14.5 linear ft. (36 boxes, 1 oversize box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection documents Lucius Outlaw’s academic career, including his tenure at Haverford College, his writing, and his mentorship of African and African-American scholars.
Arrangement
In Series I, boxes 1-5 contain chronological correspondence, while boxes 6 and 7 contain correspondence related to Africana Philosophy and letters of recommendation. Note that this arrangement is taken from internal documentation provided by Lucius Outlaw, and there may be overlap between these three subseries, as well as the “Haverford correspondence” subseries in boxes 8-9. Researchers may benefit from consulting all four locations.
Series II is divided into four subseries. The first, Long-Term Appointments, can be found in boxes 7-8 and includes documents from Fisk and Vanderbilt Universities. Boxes 8-13 contain documents from Haverford College. Subseries iii consists of Short-Term Appointments such as visiting professorships and guest lectures, and is contained in boxes 13-14. Box 14 also contains the final subseries, Course Materials, which includes syllabi, readings, and assignment sheets for courses taught at various universities.
Series III, subseries i covers Conferences, and is contained in boxes 14-15. Subseries ii, Organizations, can be found in boxes 16-21. Subseries iii, Resources, includes both published and unpublished writings from other academics and is stored in boxes 21-29. Due to space limitations, this subseries primarily contains unpublished drafts, published works with Outlaw’s comments or notations, or works that were enclosed with correspondence providing context. Published works without context have been removed, and a list of discarded works is included in the first folder of the series, in box 21.
Series IV can be found in boxes 30-36.
Oversize materials from all serieses are stored in box 37.
Physical Location
This material is stored off-site. All requests for materials from this collection must be made at least one week in advance. Contact hc-special@haverford.edu to arrange access.
Acquisition
Gift of Lucius Outlaw, March 2021 and June 2022.
Processing Information
Processed by Alex Asal, completed January 30, 2023.
- Title
- Lucius T. Outlaw Jr. papers
- Date
- February, 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Find It at the Library
Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library
