Albert Durant.

Hide Profile

Albert Wadsworth Durant was born on February 2, 1920 in New York City to Samuel and Bessie Durant. His mother was a native of Williamsburg who moved with her husband to New York and worked as a domestic servant for a family. After the death of her husband, who was originally from the West Indies, Bessie Durant and her children re-located to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1929.

At age 36, Durant married Elsie Lucille Ferguson on August 18, 1956. They raised three sons, Albert W. Durant, Jr., Byron Murphy, and Roderick Ferguson and two daughters, Yvette Durant and Deanna Ferguson.

Albert Durant ran his own chauffeuring and limousine business in the Williamsburg area, providing services to many distinguished visitors to the city, including the Queen Mother of England, the Prince of Japan, and various chief justices. He often took his customers on excursions to local historic sites, including Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and the James River plantations. Through course work at the College of William and Mary, Durant acquired a background in American history which enabled him to provide historical commentary as he drove customers through the countryside.

Durant's contacts at the College of William and Mary sparked his initial interest in photography and once he had obtained equipment and training, Durant began creating his own historical record of the Williamsburg area. As the first city licensed black photographer in Williamsburg, Durant produced hundreds of portraits documenting the families and activities of African-American residents and also documented significant events, places, and person in and around Williamsburg.

In addition, Albert Durant worked to improve the conditions for African-Americans in Williamsburg by serving in various positions in the city's government. He acted as the first black Justice of the Peace and Bail Commissioner in Williamsburg and served as the first black magistrate of the General District Court from his appointment in 1962 until his retirement in 1975.

Albert Durant died at age 71 on April 14, 1991.

From the guide to the Albert Durant Photography Collection, 20th century., (John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Albert Durant Photography Collection, 20th century. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Atomic Swingsters (Musical group) corporateBody
associatedWith Basie, Count, 1904- person
associatedWith Brick House Tavern (Williamsburg, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Bruton Heights School (Williamsburg, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Charles City School (Charles City, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Durant, Albert Wadsworth, 1920-1991 person
associatedWith Elizabeth, II, Queen of Great Britain, 1926- person
associatedWith First Baptist Church (Williamsburg, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Grant's Trio (Musical group) corporateBody
associatedWith Hillside Cafe Beer Garden. corporateBody
associatedWith James Weldon Johnson School (Yorktown, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith Mell-O-Tones (Musical group) corporateBody
associatedWith Mt. Gilead Baptist Church (James City County, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith National Association for the Advancement of Colored People corporateBody
associatedWith Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. corporateBody
associatedWith New Zion Baptist Church (Lightfoot, Va.) corporateBody
associatedWith United States (Ship : 1952) corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Voting Rights Act of 1965. corporateBody
associatedWith Yorkie's Tavern (Yorktown, Va.) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Virginia
Williamsburg (Va.)
Subject
Accidents
Occupation
Activity

Person

Related Descriptions
Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ph4c5h

Ark ID: w6ph4c5h

SNAC ID: 45868103