Title Page | Collection Summary | Biographical/Organizational Note | Scope and Content | Arrangement
Biographical Note
Ralph Ellison (1913-1994) was a famous African American author known for novels, essays, short stories, and literary criticism. He wrote several works highlighting racism and civil rights activism, including Invisible Man and Shadow and Act. Ellison was also a college professor, sculptor, musician, and photographer. In 1946, he married Fanny McConnell, who is featured in many of his photographs.
For a more extensive biography, see the Manuscript Division's finding aid for the Ralph Ellison papers, 1890-2005.
Family of Ralph Waldo Ellison (1913-1994)
| Name | Relation to Ralph Ellison | Alias |
|---|---|---|
| * Albert "Big Alfred" "Alfred Lewis" Ellison (1845-1918) | Paternal Grandfather | |
| Harriett Black | Paternal Grandmother | Harriett Walker |
| Janie Ellison | Paternal Aunt | |
| * Lucretia "Aunt Teat" "Creesy" Brown | Paternal Aunt | |
| Sallie Ellison | Paternal Aunt | |
| * Lewis "Louis" Alfred Ellison (1877-1916) | Father | |
| * James Ellison | Paternal Uncle | |
| Robert Ellison | Paternal Uncle | |
| William Ellison | Paternal Uncle | |
| Bell Ellison | Paternal Aunt | |
| Mamie Ellison | Paternal Aunt | |
| * Eddie Ellison | Paternal Uncle | |
| * Frances Brown Davis | Cousin, daughter of Aunt Lucretia Brown | |
| * Maybell Dewitt | Cousin, daughter of Aunt Lucretia Brown | |
| * John Dewitt | Cousin-in-law, married to Maybell Dewitt | |
| Bert [?] Brown | Cousin, son of Aunt Lucretia Brown | |
| * Otella Brown | Cousin-in-law, married to Bert [?] Brown | |
| * Ida "Brownie" Millsap (1885-?) | Mother | Ida Millsap (maiden name), Ida Watkins (married to Maston Watkins, died); Ida Ellison (married to Lewis Alfred Ellison, died 1916); Ida Ammons (married 1924 to James Ammons, died 1926); Ida Bell (married ca. 1929 to John E. Bell) |
| [?] Millsap | Maternal Uncle | |
| * Annie Millsap | Maternal Aunt | |
| * Herbert Maurice Ellison (1916-1998) | Brother | |
| * Rose Poindexter | Wife (married ca. 1938-1943, divorced 1945) | |
| * Fanny "Fannie" Mae McConnell | Wife (married 1946) | Fanny Mae McConnell (maiden name); Fanny Higgins (married to Rodney G. Higgins in 1936, divorced 1937); Fanny Buford (married to Ligon Buford in 1939, divorced 1945); Fanny Ellison (married to Ralph Ellison 1946) |
* indicates pictures are present in the collection of that individual.
Family of Fanny Ellison (1911-2005)
| Name | Relation to Fanny Ellison | Alias |
|---|---|---|
| * Eliza "Liza" Jones | Maternal Grandmother | Eliza Jones (maiden name); Eliza Brock (married to William Brock, divorced); Eliza Waugh (married to [?] Waugh) |
| William Brock | Maternal Grandfather | |
| * Willie "Billie" Mae Brock | Mother | Willie Brock (maiden name); Willie McConnell (married to Ulysses McConnell, divorced); Willie Warren (married to George Warren) |
| Ulysses McConnell | Father | |
| * George Warren | Stepfather | |
| Rederick Warren | Step-grandfather | |
| * Priscilla Landers Warren (1862-?) | Step-grandmother | |
| * Sue Warren | Step-aunt [?] | |
| * Ada Worix Warren (1898-1926) | Step-aunt [?] | |
| Rodney G. Higgins | Husband (married 1936, divorced 1937) | |
| * Ligon Buford | Husband (married 1939, divorced 1945) | |
| * Mrs. Buford | Mother-in-law, mother of Ligon Buford | |
| * Ralph Ellison | Husband (married 1946) |
* indicates pictures are present in the collection of that individual.