>
Skip to main content

Abraham Lincoln (A.L.) Lewis papers

 Collection
Identifier: aarl90-007

Scope and Content Note

The collection at the Auburn Avenue Research Library consists of minutes from the meetings of the Board of Trustees of Bethune-Cookman College (1937, 1944, 1945); Bethune-Cookman College annual report (1937); and the fortieth anniversary bulletin of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company (1941).

Dates

  • 1937-1945

Creator

Restrictions of Access

There are no restrictions on the research use of this collection.

Restrictions on Use

Prior permission from the Research Library must be obtained in writing before any portion of this collection can be published or reproduced.

Historical Sketch

Abraham Lincoln (A.L.) Lewis was a renowned businessman and philanthropist who became Florida's first African-American millionaire. He also established American Beach, a vacation spot for African Americans during the Jim Crow segregation era.

Lewis was born in 1865 in Madison County, Florida. In 1876, he moved with his family to Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked at a sawmill and lumberyard while pursuing his education. He joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1884 and was a member of a Masonic Order, helping to build the Masonic Temple of Greater Jacksonville in the early 1900s.

In 1901, he helped organize the company that became known as the Afro-American Life Insurance Company and held a number of executive positions there, including president and chairman of the Board. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Florida, for more than 20 years.

Lewis died on March 10, 1947, at his home in Jacksonville.

Extent

0.5 Linear feet

Language

English

Overview

The collection consists of one box with six folders containing minutes of meetings of the Board of Trustees of Bethune-Cookman College (1937, 1944, 1945), the College's 1937 annual report, the fortieth anniversary bulletin of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company (1941), and ephemera.

Series

Arranged by type.

Title
Inventory of the Abraham Lincoln (A. L.) Lewis Papers aarl90-007 aarl90-007
Author
Finding aid prepared by the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
Date
2004 September 16
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository

Contact:
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta GA 30303
404-613-4032