King, Martin Luther, Jr. | Presentation copy, inscribed to Bishop Smallwood Williams

King, Martin Luther, Jr.

Strength to Love. New York: Harper & Row, 1963 

8vo. Original black cloth over grey boards, gilt stamped; some minor discoloration along top edge of boards. Publisher's dust jacket, unclipped; light rubbing and a few small closed tears. Accompanied by additional provenance information, including Smallwood William's autobiography and his high school yearbook. 

First edition, presentation copy, inscribed to Bishop Smallwood Williams on the free front endpaper: "To my Dear Friend Smallwood Williams with warm personal regards and deep appreciation for your creative ministry | Martin." 

Like many religious figures within the African-American community, Pentecostal pastor Smallwood Williams (1907-1991), utilized his influence and oratory talents to fight against racial prejudice and voting discrimination during the Civil Rights Movement. Williams was active in numerous civil rights organizations such as the Fraternal Council of Negro Churches, NAACP (as D.C. Chapter president), and the Southern Christian Leadership Council founded by Martin Luther King, Jr. (also D.C. Chapter president). It was under this environment that MLK and Williams interacted. Williams also participated in the Washington Coordinating Committee, for the March on Washington, where King would deliver his famous "I Have A Dream" speech. At the memorial service for the first anniversary of the assassination of King, Bishop Smallwood delivered the invocation.

PROVENANCE:

Smallwood William (inscription)