Eva B. Dykes
Radcliffe College: Becoming a First
Eva Beatrice Dykes, a Washington, DC, native, was not new to the world of scholarship when she arrived at Radcliffe College. She was part of the second generation of her family to attend Howard University — her father, three uncles, and sister were all graduates of the eminent historically Black institution. Dykes’s mother also studied at Howard until illness forced her to withdraw.
Dykes earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University, summa cum laude, in 1914.
Many of the images in this profile appear here courtesy of the Oakwood University Archives at the Eva B. Dykes Library.
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[visibly aged and badly water-stained]
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Procuratores
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UNIVERSITATIS HOWARDIANAE
IN
Agro Columbiae
Omnibus has literas perlecturis salute in Domino sempiternam.
Vobis notum sit quod Dominum [name handwritten] Eva Beatrice Dykes juvenem studiis doctrinae colendis cognitum. PROCURATORES commendatibus PROFESORIBUS HONORANDES titulo graduques [degree and honors handwritten] Artium Baccalaurei summa cum laude adornareiunt et condecoraveiunt et ei fruenda contuleiunt omnia et singular jura, privilegia, honores, dignitates, insignia, quae hic aut uspiam gentium ad cunde in gradum [handwritten] Artium evectis concede solent.
Cujus rei publicum UNIVERSITATIS sigillum ei Praesidis autographum literis hisce affixa, testimonio sint___________________
anno salutis millisimo nongentisimi [handwritten] quarto decimo annoque Universitatis [handwritten] quadragesimo septimo,
[left: handwritten signature] GeorgeWCook [pre-printed] Secretarius
[right: handwritten signature] S.M. Newman [pre-printed] Praeses
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Dykes was part of the second generation of her family to attend Howard University. Alvin Goulbourne, photographer. “Eva B. Dykes’ Howard University degree”/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
Open and scroll to read the diploma transcript
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PRAESES SODALESQUE CONLEGI RADCLIVIANI
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Omnibus ad quos hae litterae pervenerint salutem.
Cum ea quae more institutoque nostro academico imperanturgradum petentibus [handwritten] Baccalaureae [pre-printed] IN ARTIBUS [handwritten] magna cum laude [pre-printed] praestiterit discipula nostra
[handwritten] Eva Beatrix Dykes
[handwritten] quae praeterea in Lingua Anglica adepta est Honores
[pre-printed] eam ad hunc gradum consentientibus Praeside Sociisque Conlegi Harvardiani ex lege admisimus eique omnia iura et insignia huc spectantia dedimus concessimus. In cuius rei testimonium curavimus ut his litteris Cantabrigiae die XX Junii a. s. n. DDCCCCXVII datis sigilloque nostro munitis Praeses noster nomen suum subscriberet.
[handwritten signature] L. B. R. Briggs
Praeses Conlegi Radcliviani
[to the right of the signature: round official seal with Radcliffe shield encircled by the words “SIGILLUM ACADEMIAE RADCLIVIANAE IN NOV ANG”]
Quod Conlegium Radclivianum [handwritten] Evam Beatricem Dykes
[pre-printed] ad gradum [handwritten] Baccalureae [pre-printed] in Artibus admisit nos PRAESES SOCIIQUE CONLEGI HARVARDIANI re cognita hanc idoneam fuisse quae eo admitteretur atque hunc gradum ei ad quem simili in re nostros admittimus discipulos parem esse atque aequalem per manum Praesidis cum sigillo nostro adpositam testificamur.
[handwritten signature] A. L. Lowell.
Praeses Conlegi Harvardiani.
[to the right of the signature: round official seal with Harvard shield encircled by the words “SIGILLUM ACADEMIAE HARVARDIANAE IN NOV ANG”]
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Because of limited resources and racist policies, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were not nationally accredited before 1956. Like many early Black students of Harvard and Radcliffe, Dykes was forced to earn a bachelor’s degree from Radcliffe before pursuing graduate studies. Alvin Goulbourne, photographer. “Eva B. Dykes’ Radcliffe College bachelor’s degree.” 1917/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
Open and scroll to read the diploma transcript
[printed in a curved arch at the top of the page]
PRAESES SODALESQUE CONLEGI RADCLIVIANI
[remaining text printed in horizontal lines]
Omnibus ad quos hae litterae pervenerint salutem.
Cum ea quae more institutoque nostro academico imperanturgradum petentibus [handwritten] Magistrae [pre-printed] IN ARTIBUS [handwritten] diligenter [pre-printed] praestiterit discipula nostra
[handwritten] Eva Beatrix Dykes
[pre-printed] eam ad hunc gradum consentientibus Praeside Sociisque Conlegi Harvardiani ex lege admisimus eique omnia iura et insignia huc spectantia dedimus concessimus. In cuius rei testimonium curavimus ut his litteris Cantabrigiae die XVIIII Junii a. s. n. DDCCCCXVIII datis sigilloque nostro munitis Praeses noster nomen suum subscriberet.
[handwritten signature] L. B. R. Briggs
Praeses Conlegi Radcliviani
[to the right of the signature: round official seal with Radcliffe shield encircled by the words “SIGILLUM ACADEMIAERADCLIVIANAE IN NOV ANG”]
Quod Conlegium Radclivianum [handwritten] Evam Beatricem Dykes
[pre-printed] ad gradum [handwritten] Magistrae [pre-printed] in Artibus admisit nos PRAESES SOCIIQUECONLEGI HARVARDIANI re cognita hanc idoneam fuisse quae eo admitteretur atque hunc gradum ei ad quem simili in re nostros admittimus discipulos parem esse atque aequalem per manum Praesidis cum sigillo nostro adpositam testificamur.
[handwritten signature] A. L. Lowell.
Praeses Conlegi Harvardiani.
[to the right of the signature: round official seal with Harvard shield encircled by the words “SIGILLUM ACADEMIAE HARVARDIANAE IN NOV ANG”]
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Dykes earned her Radcliffe A.B., magna cum laude, in 1917 with concentrations in English, Latin, German, and Greek. She completed her A.M. just a year later in 1918. Alvin Goulbourne, photographer. “Eva B. Dykes’ Radcliffe College master’s degree.” 1918. Eva B. Dykes Collection/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
While Dykes almost certainly experienced discrimination and isolation, her Cambridge years also provided a welcome respite from the more pervasive racism and Jim Crow segregation she faced at home in the South. In the same oral history interview, Dykes described how segregation forced her to conduct her doctoral research only in northern states, including at historical societies in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
My teacher wanted me to go to North Carolina, but I couldn’t go, because I was black. So I couldn’t attend the historical society there. But on the other hand, I was able to get through without meeting prejudice […].
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POPE AND HIS INFLUENCE IN AMERICA
FROM 1715 – 1850.
by
Eva Beatrice Dykes
A Dissertation
submitted in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Radcliffe College
1920
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When Dykes completed her dissertation in 1921, she became the first Black woman to complete the requirements for the Ph.D. Eva B. Dykes. Title page of “Pope and His Influence in America from 1715–1850.” Ph.D. dissertation. Radcliffe College, 1921/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
Open and scroll to read the diploma transcript
[printed in a curved arch at the top of the page]
PRAESES SODALESQUE CONLEGI RADCLIVIANI
[remaining text printed in horizontal lines]
Omnibus ad quos hae litterae pervenerint salutem.
Quoniam Eva Beatrix Dykes [pre-printed] femina optimae spei, quae per tempus usitatum cum omnia praestitit quae more institutoque nostro [handwritten] Philologiae [pre-printed] studiosis imperantur, tum singulari diligentia [handwritten] Philologiae Anglicae [pre-printed] studio, specimine eruditionis oblate, se dedidit idonea est indicate quae honores academicos adipiscatur, consentientibus Praeside Sciisque Conlegi Harvariani ad gradum [handwritten] Philosophiae Doctoris [pre-printed] eam ex lege admisimus, eique omnia iura et insignia huc spectantia dedimus concessimus. In cuius rei testimonium curavimus ut his litteris Cantabrigiae die XXII Junii a. s. n. DDCCCCXXI datis sigilloque nostro munitis Praeses noster nomen suum subscriberet.
[handwritten signature] L. B. R. Briggs
Praeses Conlegi Radcliviani
[to the right of the signature: round official seal with Radcliffe shield encircled by the words “SIGILLUM ACADEMIAE RADCLIVIANAE IN NOV ANG”]
Quod Conlegium Radclivianum [handwritten] Evam Beatricem Dykes
[pre-printed] ad gradum [handwritten] Philosophiae Doctoris [pre-printed] admisit nos [handwritten] PRAESES SOCIIQUE CONLEGI HARVARDIANI re cognita hanc idoneam fuisse quae eo admitteretur atque hunc gradum ei ad quem simili in re nostros admittimus discipulos parem esse atque aequalem per manum Praesidis cum sigillo nostro adpositam testificamur.
[handwritten signature] A. L. Lowell.
Praeses Conlegi Harvardiani.
[to the right of the signature: round official seal with Harvard shield encircled by the words “SIGILLUM ACADEMIAE HARVARDIANAE IN NOV ANG”]
[end of document]
Because of the relatively late date of Harvard’s commencement, Dykes was the third Black woman to formally receive the Ph.D. degree that year. Alvin Goulbourne, photographer. “Eva B. Dykes’ Radcliffe College doctoral degree.” Eva B. Dykes Collection/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
When asked to discuss her extraordinary achievement later in life, Dykes refused to call herself the first. Instead, she celebrated the fact that she was one of the first three Black women to earn the Ph.D. in 1921. Alvin Goulbourne, photographer. “Eva B. Dykes’ regalia.” Eva B. Dykes Collection/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
A Commitment to Service through Education and Music
After leaving Radcliffe, Dykes devoted her decades-long career to teaching, first returning home to Washington, DC, and accepting posts at the segregated Dunbar High School and later at her alma mater Howard University. She taught English at Howard from 1929 to 1944, where she was voted the best all-round teacher by the College of Liberal Arts faculty.
Music also played a large role in her life. An accomplished musician, she had been an organist at local churches as early as age 7, even though her feet barely reached the pedals. She was also a composer, and in 1926, Opportunity: Journal of Negro Life — a leading publication of the Harlem Renaissance — honored two of her compositions: “Lady O’ Mine” and “To the Black Beloved.” Throughout her adult life Dykes was a celebrated accompanist, and often contributed her musical talents to local philanthropic and educational causes.
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Washington Conservatory of Music
and School of Expression
902 Tea St., N.W. — Phone North 128
and Committee of Music Lovers
WILLIAM R. WILLIAMS, Mgr.
PRESENT
In Piano & Voice
R E C I T A L
[left: black and white bust portrait photograph of a light-skinned woman with dark hair in a loose bob]
Sonoma C. Talley, N. Y. City
PIANISTE
[center: black and white bust portrait photograph of a dark-skinned woman with dark hair pulled back and up in a formal style]
Eva B. Dykes, Ph. D.
ACCOMPANIST
[center: black and white bust portrait photograph of a dark-skinned woman with dark hair pulled back from her face]
V. Josephine Muse
LYRIC SOPRANO
BENEFIT OF SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Metropolitan A. M. E. Church
M Street between 15and 16 Streets, N. W.
Tuesday Evening, February 16, 1926
8:30 O’CLOCK
ADMISSION :: :: 50 CENTS
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Music played a large role in Dykes’ life. An accomplished organist, she was a celebrated accompanist and often contributed her talents to public concerts and fundraisers for philanthropic causes. Washington Conservatory of Music and School of Expression and Committee of Music Lovers. “In Piano & Voice RECITAL.” February 16, 1926. Eva B. Dykes Collection/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
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[large cursive script font with flowers drawn interwoven with the word] Program
I
Care Selve _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Handel
Mein Ruh’ ist him _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Graben-Hoffman
Fruhlingslied _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Coenen
Miss Muse
II
( a ) Prelude and Fugue in G Minor _ _ _ _ _ Bach-Liszt
( b ) Shadow Dance
From the Depths }_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Dvorak
Polonaise in E Minor
Miss Talley
III
Songs My Mother Taught Me_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Dvorak
Dedication
Serenade }_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Strauss
One Golden Day_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Foster
Miss Muse
IV
( a ) Waltz
Deep River }_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Coleridge-Taylor
Bambou’a
( b ) Polonaise in E Major _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Liszt
Miss Talley
V
L’insana Parola — (Aida) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Verdi
Miss Muse
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Washington Conservatory of Music and School of Expression and Committee of Music Lovers. “In Piano & Voice RECITAL.” February 16, 1926. Eva B. Dykes Collection/Courtesy of Oakwood University Archives
Lifting Up Black History and Black Voices
Dykes was a scholar of English and Black literature. Her early scholarship focused on how celebrated figures in 18th- and 19th-century English literature thought about race and slavery. In her work, she sought to expose racial prejudice as an impediment to the nation moving spiritually, morally, and economically forward.
Dykes was also committed to elevating the prose, poetry, and song of Black creators, which she hoped would inspire young Black people. In 1931, she co-edited a survey of early Black literature with Otelia Cromwell and Lorenzo Dow Turner, a textbook designed to bring writing by Black authors into American classrooms.
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[handwritten and underlined in pencil at top right] Cromwell
READINGS FROM NEGRO AUTHORS For Schools and Colleges with
A Bibliography of Negro Literature
by
OTELIA CROMWELL
Professor of English, Miner Teachers College
LORENZO D. TURNER
Professor of English, Fisk University
EVA B. DYKES
Associate Professor of English, Howard University
READINGS FROM NEGRO AUTHORS FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES is about to be published* by Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York. As the title indicates this work is a textbook. It has been edited by teachers who have brought the best of their training and experience to make this venture conform to the highest standards of textbook editing. A venture it is called, for, as far as can be ascertained, it is the first attempt to present an anthology of Negro writings edited adequately for classroom reading and study.
The point of view of the editors is expressed in these words taken from the preface of the text:
[the following paragraph is circled in pencil with an X marked next to it in pencil in the left margin]
“The purpose of this volume is not to present another anthology of Negro literature but to offer for classroom study or supplementary readings a selection of types of writings by Negro authors. Inasmuch as the standards of literary forms are based upon university principles, Negro literature demands no unique method of approach, no special interpretation of the rules of craftsmanship. A short story written by a Negro is good, bad, or indifferent in so far as it is a good, a bad, or an indifferent short story.
[end of penciled circle]
“In selecting material for this volume, the editors have been constrained to keep in mind their purpose, namely, the presentation of certain readings for definite study. No apology, therefore, is made for the offering of much that has appeared in print many times already or for the exclusion of writings of intrinsic worth yet not wholly suitable for textbook adoption. The particular slant of the realism of a few representative Negro writers and the marked predilection on the part of some others for a […]
* Ready September 1, 1931.
[end of document]
the variety of ways in which that cancer of American life, race prejudice, is eating the spiritual bowels of American morale and undermining the progress of the United States as a nation, — prejudice in labor, in education, in journalism, in the artistic world, in the courts of justice, in the church and in society in general.
When looked at quickly, literature doesn’t seem to stand up as a very practical subject. Certainly, one doesn’t construct a building with a degree in English, but literature helps a people’s spirit and helps preserve the language. It can be very practical, too — I know it can change a reader’s attitude and possibly even alter his behavior.
Oakwood University
Spurred on by her faith, in 1944, Dykes joined the faculty of the Seventh-day Adventist-affiliated historically Black Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in Huntsville, Alabama, where she taught until her retirement in 1968, and again from 1970 to 1975.
Dykes was the institution’s first faculty member to hold a Ph.D. She served as chair of the English Department and the Division of Humanities and a played pivotal role in helping Oakwood secure accreditation in 1958. She also used her musical talents in support of the school and its students, founding the world-renowned choir the Aeolians of Oakwood University. Today the group is recognized as “an authoritative exponent of Negro spirituals and Work songs which express the yearnings of their forefathers to be free.”
In 1973, Oakwood renamed its library for Dykes in tribute to her service to the institution and countless other contributions to the lives of Black students, staff, and scholars. She died in 1986 and is buried in Huntsville, near the Oakwood campus.
