Call Number:

1990.011

Repository:

African American Museum in Philadelphia

Extent:

4.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1944-1991 (inclusive)

Creator:

Berry, Ernest R., 1930-1992

Abstract:

Ernest R. (Royal) Berry (1930-1992) was an educator, performer, traveler, and collector of art. Based in the Philadelphia area for most of his life, Berry spent much of his time from 1958-1965 in Europe, completing certificate programs, teaching classes, and performing as an actor and singer. Berry joined the faculty of Cheyney University and remained there as a professor of psychology for over 20 years. The Dr. Ernest Berry papers, 1944-1991, largely consist of materials relating to Berry's travels in Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s, his career at Cheyney University and related legal battle, and a large amount of ephemera, especially playbills, from arts and cultural events Berry attended. It includes scrapbooks, photograph albums, correspondence, clippings, and ephemera.

Ernest R. (Royal) Berry (1930-1992) was an educator, performer, traveler, and collector of art. Born in Philadelphia in 1930, he earned a bachelor's degree from Cheyney State College in 1952 and masters' degrees from Howard University (Psychology, 1958) and Pennsylvania State University (Human Relations, 1954). Berry spent much of his time from 1958-1965 abroad. He earned numerous certificates from different European universities, including in child psychology, international affairs, and foreign languages; taught classes, and performed as an actor and singer on film, stage, and television. Berry earned PhD degrees from the University of Vienna (Education, 1963) and University of Munich (Psychology and Sociology, 1970).

In the mid 1960s Berry joined the faculty of Cheyney State College (now Cheyney University), an historically black college in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He remained there as a professor of psychology for over 20 years. In the 1980s, the faculty and students of Cheyney University filed concurrent suits against federal and state Department of Education officials and the school's president and board of trustees, alleging violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and contending that Pennsylvania operates a de jure segregated system of higher education. Berry was one of the lead litigants in Cheyney State College Faculty v. Hufstedler (No. 82-1282).

Bibliography:

Ernest Royal Berry resume. Document found in collection.

This collection largely consists of materials relating to Berry's travels in Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s, his career at Cheyney University and related legal battle, and a large amount of ephemera, especially playbills, from arts and cultural events Berry attended. It includes scrapbooks, photograph albums, correspondence, clippings, and ephemera.

Most of the materials relating to Berry's travels in Europe in the late 1950s and early 1960s are contained in over one dozen scrapbooks. There are foreign press clippings, some of which are in German or other European languages, about Berry's career as a singer/performer. There are also photographs (black and white), playbills, and ticket stubs and travel ephemera.

A large amount of materials in the collection relates to arts and culture. There are numerous playbills, in scrapbooks and loose, as well as headshots from mostly African American performers (some signed). Berry supported numerous local arts and performance organizations in the Philadelphia area, and there are programs and other pieces of ephemera from various of these in the collection. There is also correspondence about art objects that Berry purchased.

A sizeable amount of papers from Berry's academic career are also included in the collection. There are files on Cheyney University and on Berry's involvement with the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. Of note are legal documents from and clippings about the suits Cheyney University faculty brought against the University and the Department of Education.