Ohio History Journal

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Book Reviews

Book Reviews

 

 

 

The Barber and the Historian: The Correspondence of George A. Myers and

James Ford Rhodes, 1910-1923. Edited by John A. Garraty. (Columbus:

Ohio Historical Society, 1956. xxiv??156p.; illustrations and index. Paper,

$3.00.)

The publication of this correspondence, first in successive issues of the

Ohio Historical Quarterly during 1955 and now in book form, is a note-

worthy event on several counts. In the first place, the letters give an

intimate view of James Ford Rhodes which adds to our respect for that

historian. He emerges from the correspondence as a man of broad humanity,

humor, and candor, a man unaffected by his fame. There is practically no

condescension (unless one counts the gift of used ties) in his attitude

towards his correspondent, a Negro barber, who had once served him in

Cleveland. He had his private jokes with Myers. The two discussed pro-

hibition, for example, in a bantering tone only possible where mutual respect

exists. Rhodes even permitted a plaintive note of envy to creep into one

letter. "In many ways," the historian wrote his friend, "you are in an en-

viable position. You are in a growing city, in a good hotel and see most

people worth knowing who talk confidentially with you. May you continue

to live long and prosper" (p. 100).

Rhodes's admiration for Myers (an admiration abundantly reciprocated)

was well merited, for the barber was an uncommonly talented man. Mem-

bers of the historical profession and laymen alike are grateful to have this

portrait of a little known, all-but-forgotten man to add to the roster of

remarkable American Negroes. Myers possessed sharpness and toughness of

intellect, shrewd judgment, combined with character, forthrightness, humor,

magnanimity, and sensitivity of feeling. Few men are capable of speaking for

an oppressed people with the balance of good sense and moving sincerity

which Myers summons to the cause of the Negro in the United States.

This brings us to the second reason why this is a notable publication.

These letters contribute significantly to an understanding of the Negro

psychology in politics and aid in explaining why the Negro remained so

long allied to the Republican party which reformers identified with privilege

and reaction. The answer is this. The old-line Republican leaders like