James Baldwin correspondence with Orilla Miller Winfield

Collection of twenty pieces of correspondence, including autograph and typed letters, signed, dating from 1955 to 1985 between American author James Baldwin and Orilla Winfield, who was employed by the Federal Theatre Project in New York City in the 1930s. Baldwin often referred to Winfield as "Bill Miller," using a nickname for Orilla and her surname before marriage. Letters concern literary, social, and personal matters, including their early collaboration at P.S. 124, where Baldwin assisted Winfield in putting on plays, as well as Baldwin's subsequent literary work, his involvement in the civil rights movement, and meetings between Baldwin and Winfield. Some letters are addressed to and from Orilla Winfield and her husband, Evan Winfield. Accompanied by seven letters, dating from 1977 to 1990, between Winfield and Baldwin's mother, Berdis E. Baldwin, and one autograph postcard, signed, to Winfield from Baldwin biographer David Leeming. Also accompanied by a digitized photograph of Baldwin with Orilla and Evan Winfield and digital recordings of an interview with Orilla Winfield, possibly by Lynn Scott.