Biography of Mayme Agnew Clayton
On February 14, 2023 by Gargi SharmaMayme Agnew Clayton was a trailblazer in the field of African American culture and history. She was born on August 4 in 1923 in Van Buren, AK. She spent her whole life dedicated to preserving and promoting the stories and artefacts of African American history. Despite her modest upbringing as well as lack of formal training, Clayton went on to become one of the most respected authorities in African American history. Clayton was raised in Los Angles of California and it was there that she developed her passion for African American history at a young age. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to collecting and preserving the stories and artefacts of this history and as a result of which her collection of black Americana became one of the largest and most significant in existence. Her collection included over two million pieces of rare books, letters, posters, clippings, photographs, newspapers and films. Which most of her collection was kept in the garage behind her modest home in the West Adams district of Los Angeles.
In addition to her work as a collector, Clayton was also a librarian who worked for many years at the Los Angeles Public Library. Her dedication to promoting African American literature and culture was unwavering. She worked tirelessly to ensure that black history was properly represented in libraries and museums. Her passion for African American history was contagious and she inspired many others to learn more about the same and appreciate the richness of black history and culture.
Clayton was widely recognized for her contributions to African American history and culture as she received numerous awards and honours throughout her lifetime. She was a frequent speaker at schools, museums and libraries and shared her vast knowledge as well as her passion for preserving black history with audiences of all ages. Her lectures were always well-attended and she was a popular speaker due to her engaging and knowledgeable presentation style. Despite her many accomplishments, Clayton remained humble and dedicated to her work. She believed that the stories and artefacts of African American history were an important part of the larger American story and she was determined to preserve them for future generations. Her unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting African American history and culture was truly remarkable and she was a true pioneer in her field.
In 1975 Clayton established the Black American Cinema Society (BACS) as the location for the Clayton Library Film Archives. It was recognized globally as the largest repository of black films produced before 1959 boasting over 1700 titles and more than 350 film posters. Clayton had acquired original copies of many films directed and produced by Oscar Micheaux the most productive director of race movies including the silent film “Body and Soul” which marked Paul Robeson’s first appearance on screen.
Mayme Agnew Clayton assembled one of the largest and most valuable collections of African American memorabilia. She stored much of it in the garage of her simple home located in the West Adams of Los Angeles, California. Upon her passing in 2006, the garage was overflowing with an estimated two million pieces of African American history including scare books, correspondence, posters, photographs, newspapers, articles and movies. Clayton’s legacy continues to live on through the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Cultural Center which was established in her honour. The centre is dedicated to preserving and promoting African American history and culture and serves as a testament to Clayton’s life’s work. A centre is a place where visitors can learn about and appreciate the rich history of African Americans and it continues to inspire and educate people of all ages.
In conclusion, Mayme Agnew Clayton was a remarkable woman who made a significant impact on African American history and culture. Born on August 4 of 1923 and passed away on October 13, 2006, 2006 in Los Angeles. Clayton dedicated her life to preserving and promoting African American history and culture. Her unwavering commitment to her work, her passion for African American history and her humble and dedicated personality have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and educate people all over the world.
