American historian, bibliophile, and collector (1933–2023)
Blockson in his office at home (1971)
Charles Leroy Blockson (December 16, 1933 – June 14, 2023) was an American historian, author, bibliophile, and collector of books, historical documents, art, and other materials related to the history and culture of African Americans, continental Africans, and the African diaspora throughout the rest of the world. He curated two university collections related to the study of African-American history and culture: the Charles L. Blockson Collection of African-Americana and the African Diaspora at Pennsylvania State University and the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University.
Early life and education
Born on December 16, 1933, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Charles Leroy Blockson was the oldest of eight children born to Charles and Annie Blockson.[1][2] During a history lesson his fourth grade teacher, a white woman, asserted that "Negroes have no history. They were born to serve white people."[2][3] Blockson went home and told his parents, who assured him that black people do have a history and taught him about prominent African-American men and women.[4] That statement launched Blockson's lifelong journey to unearth, collect, and preserve the history, culture and contributions of African descendants. Book collecting excursions led Blockson to the Salvation Army, antique shops, church bazaars, and Philadelphia, where he discovered many book stores.[4] Blockson became well known among book and artifact dealers, and his passion for collecting ultimately took him around the world, inspired him to write books, and made him one of the foremost experts on the Underground Railroad.[5]
Educated in the Norristown Area School District, Blockson excelled in athletics, including football and track and field.[6] A star athlete at the Norristown High School and Penn State University, he won state and national honors, and participated in the Penn Relays. While in high school and college, he would go to bookstores when traveling to participate in sports events.[7]
Among his proudest moments was the commemoration of the Pennsylvania Slave Trade marker at Penn's Landing near the Independence Seaport Museum, unveiled in 2016.[11]
Blockson retired from Temple University in 2006 and served as Curator Emeritus of the Afro-American Collection.[5]
The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
In 1984, Blockson donated his collection of cultural artifacts from African-American history to Temple University.[7] The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection, has since expanded further and now contains more than 500,000 books, documents, and photographs.[12]
He contributed items to the Charles L. Blockson Collection of African-Americana and the African Diaspora at the Pennsylvania State University and the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NAAMHC). He made a donation to the NAAMHC, which included 39 items owned by Harriet Tubman that were bequeathed to him by her grand-niece.[6]
In 2022, the historic Centre Theatre opened up a public exhibition of Blockson's artifacts in his hometown of Norristown.[13]
Death
Blockson's grave at Eden Cemetery
Blockson died on June 14, 2023, at the age of 89.[14] Temple University president JoAnne A. Epps died unexpectedly at his memorial service.[15] He is buried at Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pennsylvania.
^ abDeCosta-Willis, Miriam (March 1999). "Reviewed Work: "Damn Rare": The Memoirs of an African-American Bibliophile by Charles L. Blockson". CLA Journal. 42 (3). College Language Association: 388–394.
^ abCurtis, Nancy (1996). Black Heritage Sites: An African American Odyssey and Finder's Guide. Chicago, Illinois: American Library Association. p. 376.
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