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Item 63: Arthur Ashe Autograph, 1989-03-06

 Item — Item: 63
Collection number: 63

Scope and Contents

Autographed quote from an interview with People Magazine in Mt. Kisco, NY on whether "blacks may be better at certain sports than whites."

Dates

  • 1989-03-06

Biographical / Historical

Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was an American professional tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles. He was the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team and the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. He retired in 1980. He was ranked world No. 1 by Harry Hopman in 1968 and by Lance Tingay of The Daily Telegraph and World Tennis Magazine in 1975.[2][4] In the ATP computer rankings, he peaked at No. 2 in May 1976.[5]

Ashe is believed to have contracted HIV from a blood transfusion he received during heart bypass surgery in 1983. He publicly announced his illness in April 1992 and began working to educate others about HIV and AIDS. He founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health before his death from AIDS-related pneumonia at the age of 49 on February 6, 1993. On June 20, 1993, Ashe was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the United States President Bill Clinton. (Wikipedia)

Extent

From the Collection: 38 Boxes

From the Collection: 6 items

Language

English

Physical Location

On display at the Copeland Musuem 2022-09-06

Physical Description

Matted and framed.

Dimensions

10 X 13.25 inches.

Repository Details

Part of the Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Valdosta State University Archives, Odum Library
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta GA 30601 United States
7063728116
229-259-5055 (Fax)