Blacks@Dartmouth 1775 to 1960

A scholar of vision, passionately devoted to the pursuit of truth, disciplined by a commitment to objectivity, Albert N. D. Brooks was motivated by a fine personal heritage. This, from his early years, made him aware of the dignity, personal worth, solid contributions, and influence of many colored persons, notably unsung in the larger world because of their race. As a teacher with high competence in research, Albert Brooks felt impelled to blast racial stereotypes and correct and illuminate much of American history concerning Negroes.

With the eminent historian Carter G. Woodson as mentor, Albert Brooks became an active apostle and devotee to the cause in 1935. Thus his work with the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History covers a span of some twenty-nine years. It was Albert N. D. Brooks who convinced Dr. Woodson of the need for a publication with more lay appeal than The Journal of Negro History beamed primarily, if not exclusively, at scholars. Thus The Negro History Bulletin was the brainchild of Dr. Brooks. He served on its editorial board from its inception in 1937 and became its editor in 1951, continuing to the very end.

Subsequent to the death of Carter Woodson, Albert Brooks was chosen for membership on the Executive Council of the Association in October 1950. Three years later he was elected to the national office of Secretary-Treasurer of the Association, which position he held until his death.

Albert N. D. Brooks donated himself to the cause of the Association, the key to his success and influence being his selflessness. Blessed with a distinguished inheritance and bolstered by his own accomplishments, he was never troubled by a desire to contrive an image or to advance his own fortunes. Responsibility and distinction sought him out and crowned him.

His colleagues of the Association and those who worked closely with him at headquarters have lost a loyal friend, a wise counselor, an indefatigable Worker who drained out the last measure of his strength for the cause. Scholarly without being pedantic, meticulous without being picayunish, Albert N. D. Brooks leaves a living, ongoing memorial which cannot fail to challenge us to more self-effacing commitment and to a more resolute determination to infuse a race with justifiable pride and to experience the incomparable joy of the scholarly pursuit of truth.