Beatrice Murphy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beatrice M. Murphy
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Murphy in 1970
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| Born | June 25, 1908 |
| Died | May 12, 1992 (aged 83) |
| Other names | Beatrice Campbell |
| Known for | Negro Bibliographic and Research Center |
Beatrice M. Murphy Campbell (1908–1992) was an American poet and editor. She is famous for starting the Negro Bibliographic and Research Center. She also edited its important journal, Bibliographic Survey: The Negro in Print. All her published writings use the name Beatrice M. Murphy.
Contents
Her Work and Contributions
Early Career in Journalism
In the early 1930s, Beatrice Murphy worked as a writer and editor. She wrote for the Washington Tribune newspaper. Later, in 1938, she became the book review editor for the Afro-American newspaper.
She also worked as a secretary at Catholic University. She even owned a business with someone else. This business was a library where people could borrow books and a place for typing services. She wrote columns for the Associated Negro Press. Her poems and reviews appeared in many different magazines and newspapers.
Working for the Government
During the 1940s and 1950s, Murphy worked for the government. She was at the Office of Price Administration. Later, she worked for the Veterans Administration. In 1954, she was suspended from her job. This happened because some people thought she had joined a group that was seen as a problem.
Beatrice Murphy fought against these claims. She showed that she had never joined the group. She had only attended a couple of public talks there. She won her case and got her job back. She retired in 1959 due to a disability.
Publishing Poetry
Beatrice Murphy was a talented poet. Her first collection of poems, called Negro Voices, came out in 1938. She published two more important collections:
- Ebony Rhythm in 1948
- New Negro Voices in 1970
Her 1970 collection featured poems by famous writers like Nikki Giovanni and Carolyn M. Rodgers. Her books helped publish and save poems by Black Americans. Many of these poems might not have been published by bigger companies. She also wrote other poetry books, including Love is a terrible thing and Get with it, Lord. Her poems also appeared in The Crisis magazine.
The Negro Bibliographic and Research Center
In 1965, Beatrice Murphy started the Negro Bibliographic and Research Center. This was a non-profit organization. Its goal was to provide research and lists of books. It wanted to help people learn more about the many writings on Black history and culture.
The center was located in Washington D.C. Murphy was the Director. The center published a journal called Bibliographic Survey: The Negro in Print. This journal was published from 1965 to 1971. Later, the organization changed its name to The Minority Research Center Inc.
Supporting Black Literature
In 1977, friends of Beatrice M. Murphy created a foundation in her name. The Beatrice M. Murphy Foundation was set up to encourage the collection and sharing of books. These books were either written by Black people or were about Black people. Murphy herself gave 1700 books from her own collection. These books helped improve the Black Studies Center at the D.C. Public Library.
Helping Others with Disabilities
In 1941, Beatrice Murphy was diagnosed with a spine condition. This condition meant she had to wear a body cast. Later, in the 1960s, she started to lose her eyesight. She worked with her eye doctor to become a peer counselor. This meant she helped other people who were also losing their vision. She shared her experiences and offered support. She also served on important committees. These included committees for the American Foundation for the Blind and the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.
Her Early Life and Family
Beatrice Murphy was born in Monessen, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Benjamin and Maude Murphy. She had one brother named Selmo. In 1914, when she was young, her family moved to Washington, D.C. She lived there for the rest of her life. She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1928.
Beatrice Murphy had one son, Alvin Murphy. He was born on February 22, 1930, and passed away in 1984.
Her Passing
Beatrice M. Murphy passed away on May 12, 1992. She died from heart disease. Her writings and personal papers are kept at the D.C. Public Library.
