The C.L.R. James Institute

July 1945, Stamford, Connecticut,
photographer Gus Schirmer
(c) 2002 Constance Webb Pearlstien

Some of us think that Constance was the most interesting person in C.L.R. James's life. James's letters to her prove that he shared a dimension of his intellectual and artistic passion with her that he could not fully express elsewhere in the political movement in which he participated in the 1940s while living in the United States. Constance is much more important to history than merely the object of James's love interest. Aside from her own career and talents, she made an intellectual contribution whose nature has not been fully assessed. In 1968 Constance became the first published biographer of Richard Wright. This project as well as her friendship with Wright began in the 1940s. She also wrote two related essays on Wright in the 1940s which bear analysis, both in relation to the thought of James and to the Wright reception of the time. I feel fortunate to be able to open up a presence for Constance on the web. Constance, this is for you, and for us, too. (R. Dumain)

On this site:

"What Next for Richard Wright?" by Constance Webb

A Few Words About Richard Wright by Constance Webb

Introduction to Special Delivery: The Letters of C.L.R. James to Constance Webb, 1939-1948 by Anna Grimshaw

The Richard Wright Connection

On other sites:

"Pocahontas": an intellectual play by Edward W. Pearlstien (husband of Constance)

Book announcement: Not Without Love: Memoirs

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Ralph Dumain, Librarian/Archivist & Webmaster

(c) 2002 The C.L.R. James Institute

Uploaded 28 January 2002
Last updated 19 September 2003
Previously updated 18 May 2002