Frank Roy Harriott
Frank Roy Harriott | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 20, 1922 |
| Died | September 7, 1955 (aged 33)[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Writer, editor |
| Years active | 1945–1955 |
Frank Roy Harriott (March 20, 1922 – September 7, 1955) was an American writer and newspaper editor active in New York City and Milwaukee.
Life and career
[edit]Frank Roy Harriott was born into an African American family of New York City on March 20, 1922.[2] Graduating from the City College of New York, he became a writer for the short-lived newspaper PM.
In 1945, jazz singer Billie Holiday introduced Harriott to one of her friends, the Milwaukee painter Karl Priebe, who was working in Manhattan at the time. The two men began a romantic relationship and Harriott eventually relocated to Wisconsin with Priebe.[3] The couple moved into an apartment on Prospect Avenue, in the East Side neighborhood of Milwaukee, while also sharing a residence in Evansville.[4] In 1947, Harriott obtained a Rosenwald Fellowship to write a novel loosely based on Holiday’s life and career.[5][6][7][8]
Upon relocating to the Midwest, Harriott was tapped by Chicago businessman John H. Johnson to be associate editor of his newest publication, Ebony. In parallel, he authored articles for other publications, including The Negro Digest and Mademoiselle.[9][10]
In 1951, Harriott was diagnosed with Addison's disease. Despite years of treatment, he died from complications of this condition on September 7, 1955.[9] He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery (now Glen Oaks Cemetery) in Glendale, with all funeral expenses paid for by Priebe.
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Harriott (left) with Priebe, Edward Atkinson, and Tom Kemp, photographed by Carl Van Vechten in January 1948 -
Karl Priebe, Portrait of Frank Roy Harriott, 1950
References
[edit]- ^ "Obituaries - F. R. Harriott". Part 2. Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, WI. September 9, 1955. p. 9. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ Harriott, Frank Roy. "World War II Draft Card" (June 1942) [Draft card]. Records of the Selective Service System, Series: WWII Draft Registration Cards For New York City, ID: 11767. St. Louis, MO: National Personnel Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration.
- ^ Cozzolino, Robert (2018). "The Sorceress in the Center of Everything". In Karma Gallery (ed.). Gertrude Abercrombie. New York: Karma. p. 56. ISBN 978-1949172027. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "Frank Harriott", United States census, 1950; Magnolia, Rock, Wisconsin; page 6, line 17, enumeration district 53-103. Retrieved on 2025-07-29.
- ^ "Rosenwald Awards Made". The People’s Voice. New York. May 24, 1947. p. 7. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ Whipper, Leighla (May 31, 1947). "Commentary". The People’s Voice. New York. p. 18. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ Harriott, Frank. "MSS Novel Based Somewhat on the Life of Billie Holiday" (1950) [Manuscript]. Karl J. Priebe Papers, Series: Series 4: Literary Manuscripts, ca. 1950–1976, Box: 2, File: Harriott, Frank, MSS Novel Based Somewhat on the Life of Billie Holiday. Milwaukee, WI: Archival Collections, Raynor Library, Marquette University.
- ^ Seaman, Donna (2017). Identity Unknown: Rediscovering Seven American Women Artists. New York: Bloomsbury. p. 41. ISBN 978-1620407585.
- ^ a b "F. R. Harriott Services Set - Writer Was 34". Part 2. Milwaukee Journal. Milwaukee, WI. September 9, 1955. p. 8. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ "The Week's Census". Jet. Chicago. September 22, 1955. p. 20. Retrieved July 28, 2025.