Booker T. Washington was a prominent African American educator, author, and leader in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery in Virginia on April 5, 1856 and liberated during the Civil War, Washington became one of the most influential leaders of the time. Washington graduated from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia (now Hampton University) and, known for his strong support of and contributions to education, he later helped found and lead the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Alabama. While Washington’s ideas and visions did not go unchallenged or without disagreement, his impact on education and civil rights remains significant.
UMW’s Special Collections & University Archives holds an early copy of one of Washington’s books, “The Man Farthest Down: A Record of Observation and Study in Europe.” Written in collaboration with sociologist Robert Park, The Man Farthest Down documents their travels across Europe in 1910. The book provides a detailed account of the living conditions of the urban poor and working-class individuals in various European cities. Washington and Park aimed to highlight the struggles faced by these marginalized groups, and to draw parallels with the challenges faced by African Americans in the United States. Through their observations, they sought to offer insights into potential solutions for improving the lives of the working class.
The first edition (1912) copy of this book housed in Special Collections has a simple deep red cover with the title embossed in gold lettering at the top. The book itself is in good condition with varied signs of its usage over the last century, including a slightly detached cover that must be handled with care. Another attribute that makes this copy feel so special: it was signed by the author himself, to Lucretia Ferguson Lewis on December 20, 1913. Not only was this book once in the hands of Washington, but it was also inscribed to Dr. James Farmer from Lucretia Ferguson Lewis on September 6, 1941, at the 26th annual Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) Conference.
While books from Special Collections & University Archives don’t circulate, visitors are welcome to view and engage with books, including Washington’s The Man Farthest Down, by stopping by the Reading Room during open hours or by making an appointment. To access more books written by Booker T. Washington, visit the Library’s website.
Bibliography:
- Wells, C. J. (2024, May 3). Booker T. Washington (1856–1915). Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/washington-booker-t-1856-1915/
- Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division, The New York Public Library. “Booker T. Washington.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 4, 2025. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-9e0b-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
- Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery: An Autobiography (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1963)
