Special Collections: African American Studies Research Guide

Special Collections at the University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press collects broadly to support the study of African American history and culture. These primary and secondary sources cover a wide range of topics, with particular strengths in Delaware History and African American literature and print culture. Special Collections also houses the substantial Lincoln Collection--one of the largest collections of Lincolniana in a research library--which encompasses 19th-century African American life and history, emancipation, Black Civil War soldiers and military service, and slavery. This LibGuide will help you find materials in Special Collections including printed collections, manuscripts and archives, digital collections, and exhibitions, as well as related resources.

A note on Terminology

The terms used to describe people of African descent have evolved over time. This LibGuide uses African American and Black in its description. While African American and Black are often used interchangeably in popular discourse, Black is also considered to be a more expansive term than African American, as it can be used to refer to others in the African diaspora beyond those born or based in the United States. Please see Additional Resources for sources that may be helpful to consider when writing and researching African American and Black Studies.