Ellis, Ruth, 1899-2000

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African American lesbian.

From the description of Ruth Ellis papers, 1900s-2000. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 83386425

African-American lesbian.

From the description of Ruth Ellis photographs. ca. 1900-1990s. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 43699875

Ruth Ellis was born on July 23, 1899 in Springfield Illinois, the youngest of four children born to Charles and Carrie Ellis. After the death of her mother, Ellis and her brothers were raised by her father. At age 37, she moved to Detroit and was soon joined by her partner, Cicilene "Babe" Franklin also of Springfield. The couple stayed together for more than thirty years, during which time they bought a home on Oakland Avenue and opened a small print shop, the Ellis and Franklin Printing Company.

During the late 1930s and 1940s the Ellis/Franklin house served as a meeting place and temporary shelter for Gay men and Lesbians. Ms. Ellis ran the print shop until her retirement at age 65. She actively participated in the events of the Lesbian community nation-wide until her death in 2000 at the age of 101.

From the guide to the Ruth Ellis papers, 1910-2000, 1997-2000, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Ellis, Ruth, 1899-2000. Ruth Ellis papers, 1900s-2000. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Ruth Ellis papers, 1910-2000, 1997-2000 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Ellis, Ruth, 1899-2000. Ruth Ellis photographs. Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Ellis family. family
associatedWith Ellis family. family
Place Name Admin Code Country
Michigan--Detroit
Michigan--Detroit
Subject
African American lesbians
African American lesbians
African Americans
African Americans
Lesbians
Lesbians
Printers
Printing press
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1899-07-23

Death 2000-10-05

Britons

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 21143181