Biographical/historical information

LaMotte Marcus Blakely, son of LaMotte M. and Olivia Waters Blakely, was born near Washington, N.C., on November 22, 1895. His formal education was slight. In 1917 he began newspaper work in Richmond, as a reporter for the Virginian. Following service in the U.S. Army field service at Camp Lee, Virginia, during World War I, Blakely returned to the Virginian, then joined the staff of the Richmond Evening Dispatch, where he served for a time as city editor before becoming editor. When that newspaper ceased publication in 1923, Blakely began work for the Times-Dispatch. He held the position of editor of that paper from January, 1928, until 1931. During 1936-1937 he rejoined the staff of the Times-Dispatch as a reporter. In 1937 he worked for radio station WRTD in Richmond as an editorial commentator. Blakely died July 29, 1941, at his farm in Henrico County, Virginia.

Scope and arrangement

The dismantled typescript volume contains scripts for radio broadcasts Blakely delivered August 1, 8, 15, 22, and September 5, 22, 1937, on station WRTD for State-Planters Bank in Richmond. Some of the broadcasts pertain to local events and state politics, including a labor-related trial involving the Virginia "lynch law" (Aug. 1). Other topics include the Sino-Japanese War (Aug. 1, 15, 22, Sept. 5) and Franklin D. Roosevelt's appointment of Hugo Black to the Supreme Court (Aug. 15). Of interest also are Blakely's comments concerning Congress's likely passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Aug. 1) and the alleged inefficiency and sloth of Southern labor (Aug. 8).

Several pages of undated typescript contain African American spirituals. Another typescript, "Negro Conversation," records brief examples of African American Vernacular English and philosophy. Two newspaper obituaries provide details concerning Blakely's life.

Administrative information

Custodial History

November 8, 1982, 1 volume; Radio editorials (1937). Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Ross, Washington, N.C.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Elizabeth Ross

Processing information

Processed by T. McDustrell, August 1983

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Descriptions updated by Ashlyn Racine, May 2023

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Black, Hugo LaFayette, 1886-1971
Blakely, LaMotte M. (LaMotte Marcus), 1895-1941

Topical

Lynching--Virginia
Newspaper editors--Virginia--Richmond
Radio journalists--Virginia--Richmond
Radio scripts--Virginia--Richmond
Sino-Japanese War, 1937-1945
Spirituals (Songs)

Places

Virginia--Politics and government--20th century

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