Bibliograph

Boss of the grips, the life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal, Eric K. Washington

Type

Label

Boss of the grips, the life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal, Eric K. Washington

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages [329]-330) and index

resource.biographical

individual biography

Illustrations

portraitsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Boss of the grips

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

1053998101

Responsibility statement

Eric K. Washington

Sub title

the life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal

Summary

"A long-overdue biography of the head of Grand Central Terminal's Red Caps, who flourished in the cultural nexus of Harlem and American railroads. In a feat of remarkable research and timely reclamation, Eric K. Washington uncovers the nearly forgotten life of James H. Williams (1878-1948), the chief porter of Grand Central Terminal's Red Caps-a multitude of Harlem-based black men whom he organized into the essential labor force of America's most august railroad station. Washington reveals that despite the highly racialized and often exploitative nature of the work, the Red Cap was a highly coveted job for college-bound black men determined to join New York's bourgeoning middle class. Examining the deeply intertwined subjects of class, labor, and African American history, Washington chronicles Williams's life, showing how the enterprising son of freed slaves successfully navigated the segregated world of the northern metropolis, and in so doing ultimately achieved financial and social influence. With this biography, Williams must now be considered, along with Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jacqueline Onassis, one of the great heroes of Grand Central's storied past"--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

"To hustle while you're waiting" -- "A gilded, but gritty age" -- "If we cannot go forward, let us mark time" -- Fraternity and ascendancy -- Harlem exodus to the Bronx and to the sea -- War at home and abroad -- "A sweet spot in Harlem known as Strivers' Row" -- The black decade -- Testaments in transit -- Bandwidths -- Moving to the Dunbar -- Organized labor pains -- "Things reiterated as the American way" -- A second marriage

Target audience

adult

Classification