WASHINGTON, BOOKER T. Autograph Letter Signed, to "My

RESPONSE TO BEING AWARDED HARVARD'S HONORARY DEGREE WASHINGTON, BOOKER T. Autograph Letter Signed, to "My dear Mrs. Holder," expressing gladness at having spoken with Mr. Holder, noting that Harvard had surprised him, giving the dates and places of upcoming speaking engagements, and reporting that he was unaware of Miss Bradley's death. 1½ pages, 8vo, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet, "Crawford House" stationery, ruled paper; folds.Boston, 19 July 1896

". . . What Harvard did was a great surprise to to [sic] me I assure you, but it will give me new strength and courage for the work, and it [is] a satisfaction to have in addition such words from you."Saturday Aug 1 I am to speak at Chautauqua N.Y. . . . Next Sunday July 20, I am to speak in Magnolia. . . ."With--Margaret Murray Washington. Typed Letter Signed, "Mrs. Booker T. Washington," to Arthur D. Little, thanking for sending a Christmas gift for the children, noting that "it has gone a long ways towards brightening the lives of many of them." 1 page, 4to, "The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute" stationery; folds. Tuskegee, 5 January 1909.In 1896, Harvard University awarded Booker T. Washington the honorary degree of "Master of Arts." In his speech delivered at the Harvard alumni dinner on June 24, 1896, Washington remarked that the distinction was the first of its kind awarded to an African American by a leading American university.