David Dinkins papers, 1941-2017, bulk 1985-1993 | Rare Book & Manuscript Library (original) (raw)
Summary Information
Abstract
These papers comprise correspondence, organizational records and documents, speeches, public schedules, photographs and memorabilia relating to the public life of David N. Dinkins, civil servant to the City of New York for over thirty years and professor in the Practice of Public Affairs at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.
At a Glance
Call No.:
MS#1441
Bib ID:
6058659 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Dinkins, David N.
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
225 linear feet (102 document boxes 166 record storage cartons 8 flat boxes 12 index card boxes 5 poster boxes)
Language(s):
Collection is predominantly in English. Spanish, Chinese and Japanese indicated at folder level.
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized.
Description
Summary
These records originate from the office David N. Dinkins. The documents that comprise this collection primarily encompass the years in which David Dinkins served as mayor of New York City and Manhattan Borough President. The campaign for Manhattan borough president in 1985 and the mayoral campaigns of 1989 and 1993 figure prominently. The corpus consists primarily of correspondence, press releases, news clippings, memoranda, photographs, trophies, awards, diskettes, certificates, pamphlets, pins, drawings, paintings and caricatures. Photographs, drawings, and other ephemera that chronicled Dinkins term as mayor were later added to the collection, but were not separately accessioned.
- Series I: Campaigns and Political Career, 1965-1994
This series encompasses David Dinkins early political career, his campaign for Manhattan Borough President, his 1989 and 1993 Mayoral campaigns, and his terms serving as both Manhattan Borough President, 1986-1989, and Mayor of the City of New York, 1990-1993. All four subseries are arranged alphabetically. - Series II: Memorabilia, 1947-2001
This series comprises certificates, awards, posters, original drawings, original prints, keys to international cities, caricatures and an album of drawings and poems dedicated to David Dinkins. These materials are arranged chronologically by format and size. - Series III: Photographs, 1941-1994
Individuals that figure prominently in this series are: David Dinkins, Joyce Dinkins, Ed Koch, Mario Cuomo, Basil Paterson, Charles B. Rangel, Lena Horne, Jack Rudin, Jesse Jackson, Edward M. Kennedy, Leon Bogues, Arthur Ashe, and Gloria Steinem. Many of these photographs are unidentified and undated. Three photo albums are included and have been left in original format to maintain context. These materials are arranged alphabetically. - Series IV: Audio and Visual, 1983-1993
This series contains VHS, Broadcast cassettes, audio cassettes, and U-Matic videocassette. The bulk consists of David Dinkins' interviews on both radio and television. There are also promotional videos from companies soliciting advertising clientele. These materials are arranged chronologically. - Addition I:, 2015
- Addition II:, 2017
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in four series and 2 additions.
- Series I: Campaigns and Political Career, 1965-1994
- Series II: Memorabilia, 1947-2001
- Series III: Photographs, 1941-1994
- Series IV: Audio and Visual, 1983-1993
- Addition I:, 2015
- Addition II:, 2017
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Curator of Manuscripts, Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RBML). The RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); David N. Dinkins Papers; Box and Folder (if known); Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Related Material
Archives of David N. Dinkins, 106th Mayor of the City of New York, 1990-1993, New York City Department of Records, Municipal Archives.
Oral history interview with David Norman Dinkins, 2014, Columbia Center for Oral History Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
Accrual
No additions are expected
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Source of acquisition--David Dinkins. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--2000.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Papers processed Jennifer S. Comins 2008-2009.
Revision Description
2009-10-23 xml document instance created by Jennifer S. Comins
2018-01-19 link to NYC municipal archives collection updated by Kevin Schlottmann
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
Biographical / Historical
David N. Dinkins was born in Trenton, New Jersey on July 10, 1927. In his early childhood, Dinkins moved with his mother to Harlem, but returned to Trenton to attend high school. After graduating he enrolled in Howard University in Washington, DC. World War II erupted and his studies were put on hold when he served in the United States Marine Corps. After serving as a Marine during World War II, he went on to obtain his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Howard University in 1950. At Howard, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the nation's first intercollegiate fraternity for African-American men. After graduating from Howard, he married Joyce Burrows, a former classmate. They moved to Harlem in 1951 and in 1956 he graduated from Brooklyn Law School. Dinkins practiced law in New York City from 1956 until 1975, while pursuing a career in politics.
Joyce Burrows grew up in a very political family. Her father was Daniel Burrows, a former assemblyman and district leader. Burrows introduced Dinkins to J. Raymond Jones, the "Harlem Fox", known leader of Tammany Hall, the New York Democratic County Organization in the 1960s. It was through Jones that Dinkins became an integral part of the Carver Democratic Club. During this period he mixed and aligned himself with an influential group of upcoming politicians that included Charles Rangel, Percy Sutton and Basil Paterson. Later, this group of young and ambitious politicoes became known as the "gang of four".
In 1965, Dinkins was elected a New York State assemblyman. In this role he helped with the creation of the Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge Program (SEEK) in the City University of New York. SEEK assisted low income students with attaining a college education by helping them with basic education and counseling. As the program grew it became clear that many students could not stay in college without additional income. As a result, Dinkins mobilized the New York Urban Coalition and the 100 Black Men, organizations with core missions to educate youth through a variety of support services providing part time and summer jobs for students through agreements with private businesses.
Dinkins served as president of the Board of Elections from 1972-1973, successfully establishing guidelines that facilitated and encouraged wider voter registration. He convinced the legislature to allow voter registration by mail in New York State. At the same time, he convinced corporations, community groups, schools and unions to make voter registration forms readily available to the public. He went on to serve as city clerk from 1975 until 1985.
When Manhattan Borough President, Percy Sutton stepped down in 1977 to run for mayor of New York City, he encouraged Dinkins to run for the vacant position. Dinkins lost the first election to democratic candidate Andrew Stein, but won on his third attempt, in the 1985 campaign.
In 1989 Dinkins ran for mayor, defeating three-term incumbent Mayor Ed Koch, for the Democratic nomination. In November, he beat republican candidate and United States attorney, Rudy Giuliani, winning the general election. On January 1, 1990, Dinkins was sworn in as the first African American mayor of New York City. Dinkins was considered moderate and soft spoken in leadership style. When he took office, New York City was experiencing the effects of an economic recession; racial strife, drug use and crime were on the rise. Dinkins celebrated New York City as a "gorgeous mosaic" referring to its ethnic diversity, while pledging to mend racial tensions. And as the federal government had cut monetary aid to the nation's cities, Dinkins' supporters pushed an agenda that focused on social services for a struggling city population.
Dinkins promises to mend the city's race and religious divisions had to be balanced against a dire financial deficit. Nonetheless, Dinkins focused on making New York City a better place for its residents. He concentrated on AIDS prevention-treatment, fighting drug abuse, and building better schools and affordable housing. "Safe Streets, Safe City" was his criminal justice plan, which reduced crime while at the same time providing youth programs, expanding opportunities for children. He is credited with the creation of the office of Special Commissioner of Investigation for Schools, and worked to create an all civilian police complaint review board.
In 1991, a riot broke out between the Hasidic and Black communities in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. In its aftermath, some thought that the Hasidic community received favored treatment, while others thought that not enough force was used against the Black community. In 1993, Dinkins lost the mayoral race to Rudolph Giuliani. Political pundits, the day after, referred to the Crown Heights affair as central to his defeat.
After serving his term as New York City mayor, Dinkins accepted a faculty appointment in the Practice of Public Affairs at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs; he also serves on its board of advisors. Mr. Dinkins chairs the New York City and Johannesburg Sister City Program, serves on the Advisory Board of Independent News and Media, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He serves on the steering committee of the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, throughCLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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