And Gently He Shall Lead Them: Robert Parris Moses and Civil Rights in Mississippi

Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many people have given me encouragement and support, but I want especially to thank Professor Thomas R. West of Catholic University, who managed to teach me by example something of the difficulties and rewards of prose writing. Professor Hugh Hawkins of Amherst College, where this book originated as a senior honors essay, taught an excellent class on the 1960s and later extended warm encouragement. Professor Irwin Unger of New York University read an early draft of the book and steered me toward rethinking my thesis. In addition, Professor Doug McAdam of the University of Arizona generously sent a letter of inquiry on my behalf to dozens of former SNCC workers, enabling me to expand my understanding of Freedom Summer. Professor Anthony Rizzuto of SUNY Stony Brook helped me clarify my thinking about the influence of Camus on Moses. A number of people involved in civil rights in Missisxi xii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS sippi read drafts of the manuscript and gave me valuable insights, correction, or inspiration. They include especially Sally Belfrage, Howard Zinn, Miriam Cohen Glickman, John W. Blyth, Gordon Henderson, Roy Ginsberg, Robbie Ossman, Gar Alperovitz, Harris Wofford , Jane Adams, Kay Mischener, Richard W. Swanson , and Margrit Garner. I am also grateful to many archivists and librarians who freely gave me their time. Moses' classmates at Hamilton College were most generous in their willingness to respond to my inquiries , and I want to thank in particular Emerson Brown, Jr., Richard P. Canuteson, Benjamin C. Carroll, W. Robert Connor, Preston Dawes, Peter Eckel, Thomas A. Fagan , Richard T. Field, William F. Fivaz, Frank J. Giruzzi , Jonathan G. Greenwald, Earl Herbert, Wayne Mahood, Harry Presberg, David Rothstein, James E. Schade, and Michael G. Sundell. Several others sent letters expressing interest and kind encouragement. Three people offered a great deal of information and insight into Robert Moses' early years and later activities . I am especially indebted to his brother, Gregory Moses of Detroit, Michigan, for information about the family and early influences on the brothers. Moses' uncle , the late William Henry Moses, Jr., allowed a recorded transcript with him and his wife at their home in Newport News, Virginia. Edwin King not only generously allowed me to peruse his unpublished memoirs, but also took the time to drive me to the Mississippi Delta and buy me a catfish dinner. For both my genuine thanks. And finally, I would like to thank my parents, Sandra and David, for their years of support, encouragement, and help. And Gently He Shall Lead Them ...