Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
User Information
Biographical Sketch
Scope and Content Note
Cataloguing Information
Processed by:
Wilma L. Gibbs
27 August 1996
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 5 folders
COLLECTION DATE: July 1977
PROVENANCE: Elizabeth Amend, All Souls Unitarian Church, 5805 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226, 1 July 1996.
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society.
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: None
ACCESSION NUMBER: 96.0537
NOTES:
William Lee Grant King (26 August 1883-30 September 1979) was born in a small town near Marietta, Georgia. He married Mae Bell King and three children were born to this union: Rose Ella, Joseph Prather, and William Lee, Jr.
King, who received a Masters degree from Indiana University, was a graduate of Atlanta University. He also attended the University of Chicago, Bradley Technical Institute, and Purdue University. For two decades, he was an industrial arts teacher at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, retiring in 1952. He later worked in the occupational therapy department at Carter Hospital. A longtime member of All Souls Unitarian Church, King was an active member of the Fall Creek Young Men's Christian Association.
Sources: Material in the collection.
Obituary, "William King, Retired Teacher, Dead at 96," Indianapolis News, 2 October 1979.
William Lee Grant King's memoirs are contained in five folders. In the 142-page work, completed on 27 July 1977, are stories compiled by the author over what appears to be more than a 10-year period (roughly 1965-1977). The volume contains King's observations, ramblings, personal philosophies, and childhood stories--many of which King attributes to his parents. He discusses his life, family, and world travels. The time he spent in Indianapolis is discussed throughout the memoirs with mention of local people.
The memoirs contain several factual errors. On page 1, King states that he was born in a village called Scufle Grit, about three miles east of Marietta, Georgia. On page 103, he states "We were born in Woodstock, Georgia, a little town fifteen or twenty miles north of Marietta." He also contributes an incorrect year for Martin Luther King Jr.'s date of death. Errors aside, King's memoirs are full of personal and United States history and his writings. They include copies of Lincoln's Gettyburg Address, numerous prayers, and poetry.
MAIN ENTRY: King, William Lee Grant, 1883-1979
SUBJECT ENTRIES: King, William Lee Grant, 1883-1979
Young Men's Christian Association (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Afro-Americans--Indiana--Indianapolis--Biography
Indianapolis (Ind.)--Personal narratives
Indianapolis (Ind.)--Social life and customs
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