Pinkett, Harold T., 1914-2001

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Harold Thomas Pinkett (April 7, 1914 - March 13, 2001) was born in Salisbury, Maryland. He attended Morgan College (now Morgan State University), where he graduated summa cum laude in 1935. In 1938, he earned his M. A. in history from the University of Pennsylvania.

He started an outstanding career of over 35 years of service at the National Archives in 1942. He was the first African American to hold such a position in any American archival institution. During this time he specialized in agricultural records, and went on to earn his doctoral degree in history from American University. His dissertation focused on the work of Gifford Pinchot, Chief of the Forest Service, in which Pinkett used records from RG 95: Records of the Forest Service.

Throughout his career, Dr. Pinkett published many articles regarding the holdings of the National Archives, and other issues of professional archival interest. In addition to contributing articles, he also served as a member of the Editorial Board on the new Prologue: Journal of the National Archives. He also wrote many of the original inventories of the Department of Agriculture records. In 1959, he was promoted to chief of the Agriculture and General Services Branch, supervising the archival and administrative operations of that branch. In 1968, he was promoted to Divisional Deputy Director. In 1971, he took on the leadership duties of the newly-created Natural Resources Records Branch, a transfer that made him the highest-ranking African American in the General Services Administration. After retiring, he received an Exceptional Service Award for his career services at the National Archives. Post-retirement, Dr. Pinkett was an archival consultant for African American organizations including the National Business League, the United Negro College Fund, the National Urban League, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Dr. Pinkett was highly involved in the Society of American Archivists, holding many committee and chair roles, as well as being the editor for the American Archivist journal. He was also active in the Forest History Society, serving on its Board of Directors and elected president. In 1975, he was named a Fellow of the Forest History Society, the Society’s highest honor. He taught at both Howard University and American University. Additionally, Dr. Pinkett was also an Army veteran, serving in World War II.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
contributorOf Photograph of State Department Luncheon for International Council on Archives Extraordinary Congress National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Photograph of Conference on the Archives of United States Foreign Relations National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Pinkett, Harold T. P-6 CLR Fellowship 1972 National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Conference on Federal Archives as Sources for Afro-American Research National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Photograph of Presentation of Commendable Service Award National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Mr. Herbert E. Angel Presents an Award to Mr. Harold T. Pinkett National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Preliminary Inventories, 50-97 National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Photograph of Presentation of Commendable Service Award National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Photograph of Materials Used at the International Council on Archives Extraordinary Congress National Archives at College Park
referencedIn State of California vs. Yuba Goldfields Collection, 1979-1985 California state library
contributorOf Annual Report on the National Archives and Records Service from the Report of the Administrator of General Services, 1957 THRU Other Miscellaneous Publications: List of Publications of the National Archives and Records Service National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Theodore Roosevelt Collection: Books, pamphlets, periodicals, 18-- - <ongoing> Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
contributorOf Photograph of Conference on Research in the Administration of Public Policy National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Photograph of Conference on Research in the Administration of Public Policy National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Pinkett, Harold T. National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Finding Aids Issued Primarily for Staff Use in the National Archives: NC 1-72 National Archives at College Park
contributorOf Oral History Sound Recordings, ca. 1972 - ca. 1974 National Archives at College Park
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Salisbury MD US
Baltimore MD US
Salisbury NC US
Subject
African American historians
Archival Practice
Archives
Archivists
Forest and forestry
Occupation
Archivist
Historian
Instructors
Military personnel
Professor
Teacher
Activity

Person

Birth 1914-04-07

Death 2001-03-13

Male

African Americans,

Americans

Latin,

English

Information

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