Benjamin Elijah Mays was born August 1, 1894 in Ninety Six, South Carolina. After graduating high school, he spent one year at Virginia Union University before moving to Maine to attend Bates College, where he received his BA. He then went to the University of Chicago for his M.A. and his Ph.D. While at the University of Chicago, Mays worked as a Pullman Porter and a student assistant to Dr. Lacey Kirk Williams, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church. While finishing his doctorate, Mays published The Negro's Church, the first sociological study on the Black church, with Joseph Nicholson. He became dean of the School of Religion at Howard University in 1934. In 1940, Mays moved to Atlanta to become the president of Morehouse College. Martin Luther King Jr. was Mays' most famous student at Morehouse. The two remained close until King's death in 1968 and Mays delivered the eulogy at his funeral. Mays left Morehouse College in 1967. In 1969, Mays ran for the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education. While on the board, Mays oversaw the peaceful desegregation of the Atlanta Public Schools. He served on the board until 1981, and served as the president of the board between 1970 and 1981. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
Aug 24, 2022

Benjamin E. Mays Papers

Benjamin Elijah Mays was born August 1, 1894 in Ninety Six, South Carolina. After graduating high school, he spent one year at Virginia Union University before moving to Maine to attend Bates College, where he received his BA. He then went to the University of Chicago for his M.A. and his Ph.D. While at the University of Chicago, Mays worked as a Pullman Porter and a student assistant to Dr. Lacey Kirk Williams, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church. While finishing his doctorate, Mays published The Negro's Church, the first sociological study on the Black church, with Joseph Nicholson. He became dean of the School of Religion at Howard University in 1934. In 1940, Mays moved to Atlanta to become the president of Morehouse College. Martin Luther King Jr. was Mays' most famous student at Morehouse. The two remained close until King's death in 1968 and Mays delivered the eulogy at his funeral. Mays left Morehouse College in 1967. In 1969, Mays ran for the Atlanta Public Schools Board of Education. While on the board, Mays oversaw the peaceful desegregation of the Atlanta Public Schools. He served on the board until 1981, and served as the president of the board between 1970 and 1981.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
21 Objects displayed
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A greetings and salutations book presented to Mays on the occasion of the establishment of a scholarship fund at the Interdenominational Theological Center.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Greetings and Salutations Book, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
A greetings and salutations book presented to Mays on the occasion of the establishment of a scholarship fund at the Interdenominational Theological Center.
Subject
African Americans--Education, Theology--Study and teaching
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays and other recipients of the College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education. Written on recto: Recipients of the College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education: (seated from left to right) John W. Gardner, Chairman, Common Cause, Washington, D.C.; Mary I. Bunting, President Emerita, Radcliffe College; James S. Coleman, Professor pf Sociology, University of Chicago; Elizabeth D. Koontz, Assistant State Superintendent for Teacher Education, North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction; (standing from left to right) Clark Kerr, Chairman and Staff Director, Carnegie Council on Policy Studies in Higher Education; Henry Chauncey, former President, Educational Testing Service; Benjamin E. Mays, President Emeritus, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia; John M. Stalnaker, President Emeritus and Honorary Director, National Merit Scholarship Corporation; John U. Monro, Dean of General Education, Miles College, Birmingham, Alabama. The Medals were presented on October 26 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, during the Board's 1976 National Frum, the concluding event of its 75th Anniversary Year.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Recipients of the College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education, 1976
Date Created
1976
Description
Benjamin E. Mays and other recipients of the College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education. Written on recto: Recipients of the College Board Medal for Distinguished Service to Education: (seated from left to right) John W. Gardner, Chairman, Common Cause, Washington, D.C.; Mary I. Bunting, President Emerita, Radcliffe College; James S. Coleman, Professor pf Sociology, University of Chicago; Elizabeth D. Koontz, Assistant State Superintendent for Teacher Education, North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction; (standing from left to right) Clark Kerr, Chairman and Staff Director, Carnegie Council on Policy Studies in Higher Education; Henry Chauncey, former President, Educational Testing Service; Benjamin E. Mays, President Emeritus, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia; John M. Stalnaker, President Emeritus and Honorary Director, National Merit Scholarship Corporation; John U. Monro, Dean of General Education, Miles College, Birmingham, Alabama. The Medals were presented on October 26 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, during the Board's 1976 National Frum, the concluding event of its 75th Anniversary Year.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Portraits and people
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays and others at an APCUG Higher Education Awards Banquet. Written on verso: APCUG Higher Education Awards Banquet, Stouffer's Atlanta [?], 7 p.m. March 26, 1973, L to R: President Waights Henry, Lagrange College, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Mayor Sam Massell. Benjamin E. Mays attends APUCG High Education Banquet.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
APCUG Higher Education Awards Banquet, March 26, 1973
Date Created
1973-06-26
Description
Benjamin E. Mays and others at an APCUG Higher Education Awards Banquet. Written on verso: APCUG Higher Education Awards Banquet, Stouffer's Atlanta [?], 7 p.m. March 26, 1973, L to R: President Waights Henry, Lagrange College, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Mayor Sam Massell. Benjamin E. Mays attends APUCG High Education Banquet.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Special events
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
The cover of a Black History calendar featuring Benjamin E. Mays.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Black History Cover, February, 1973
Date Created
1973-02
Description
The cover of a Black History calendar featuring Benjamin E. Mays.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
A telegram sent to Dr. Mays from E. L. Abercrombie about Mays' election to the Board of Education in Atlanta.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Telegram Sent to Dr. Mays, January 7, 1970
Date Created
1970-01-07
Description
A telegram sent to Dr. Mays from E. L. Abercrombie about Mays' election to the Board of Education in Atlanta.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Education--Curricula
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
An election brochure for Benjamin E. Mays running for the Board of Education for Atlanta Schools.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays Board of Education, October 7, 1969
Date Created
1969-10-17
Description
An election brochure for Benjamin E. Mays running for the Board of Education for Atlanta Schools.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Education--Curricula
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
A statement written by Benjamin E. Mays.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Statement of Benjamin E. Mays, August 15, 1969
Date Created
1969-08-15
Description
A statement written by Benjamin E. Mays.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
An article written by Benjamin E. Mays for the Pittsburgh Courier.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
"They Go Back to School," September 23, 1967
Date Created
1967-11-23
Description
An article written by Benjamin E. Mays for the Pittsburgh Courier.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, African American newspapers
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Armeriak Boyavion and Benjamin E. Mays stand outside of a building on the Morehouse campus.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Armeriak Boyavion and Benjamin E. Mays, October 3, 1966
Date Created
1966-10-13
Description
Armeriak Boyavion and Benjamin E. Mays stand outside of a building on the Morehouse campus.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Portraits and people
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Portrait of Benjamin E. Mays.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays, circa 1970
Date Created
1965/1975
Description
Portrait of Benjamin E. Mays.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Portraits and people
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
A poster featuring 24 black educators.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
"24 Outstanding Black Educators", circa 1970
Date Created
1965/1975
Description
A poster featuring 24 black educators.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, African American women
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
An address given by Benjamin E. Mays to Shaw University's 101st Founder's Day Convocation.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
"Desegregation: An Opportunity and a Challenge", 1965
Date Created
1965
Description
An address given by Benjamin E. Mays to Shaw University's 101st Founder's Day Convocation.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, School integration, Speeches
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
A founder's day address by Benjamin E. Mays.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Founder's Day Address, February 11, 1964
Date Created
1964-02-11
Description
A founder's day address by Benjamin E. Mays.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, School integration
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
A piece of writing discussing the topic of freedom from want.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
"Global Demand for Freedom from Want," July 13, 1961
Date Created
1961-07-13
Description
A piece of writing discussing the topic of freedom from want.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Speeches
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays sits behind his desk in his office.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays in His Office, circa 1965
Date Created
1960/1970
Description
Benjamin E. Mays sits behind his desk in his office.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Portraits and people
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays sits behind his desk in his office.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays in His Office, circa 1965
Date Created
1960/1970
Description
Benjamin E. Mays sits behind his desk in his office.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Portraits and people
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Benjamin E. Mays and others at a commencement ceremony.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Commencement, circa 1965
Date Created
1960/1970
Description
Benjamin E. Mays and others at a commencement ceremony.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Commencement ceremonies
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
A drawing of Benjamin E. Mays. Written on recto: Presented to Dr. Benjamin E. Mays By Class Historian: Ernest W. Wright for Dr. May's first Morehouse graduating class- 1941.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Drawing of Benjamin E. Mays, circa 1960
Date Created
1955/1965
Description
A drawing of Benjamin E. Mays. Written on recto: Presented to Dr. Benjamin E. Mays By Class Historian: Ernest W. Wright for Dr. May's first Morehouse graduating class- 1941.
Subject
African Americans--Education, African American men, Portraits and people
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
An annotated piece of writing by Benjamin Mays concerning integration.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
The Black Law Journal, circa 1955
Date Created
1950/1959
Description
An annotated piece of writing by Benjamin Mays concerning integration.
Subject
School integration, African Americans--Education, Race relations
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
An untitled speech to students at Emory University.
Benjamin E. Mays Papers
Untitled Speech to Students, circa 1955
Date Created
1950/1959
Description
An untitled speech to students at Emory University.
Subject
Speeches, African Americans--Education
Collection
Benjamin E. Mays Papers