The Oakley Johnson papers date from 1926 to 1934 and from 1966 to 1969, with nothing for the years 1935 to 1965. The collection totals 17 folders or eight inches of material and is arranged in three groupings: University of Michigan Negro-Caucasian Club; City College of New York Case; and Other Papers.
The papers contain Johnson's correspondence in the 1960's with members of the Negro-Caucasian Club, concerning in part a reunion of Club members in 1969. The papers also reflect the controversy surrounding Johnson's dismissal from City College of New York in 1932.
Born on March 22, 1890, in Jarvis Centre, Michigan, Oakley Johnson graduated from high school in Standish. After receiving his teaching certificate, he taught for a time in Freeland. There he met Mary Olmstead, whom he married in 1916.
Johnson became interested in progressive political movements early in his life. In 1919 he was a delegate to the Socialist Left Wing Conference and to the Communist Party Organizing Convention.
In 1928 Johnson received his doctorate in English Language and Aesthetics from the University of Michigan. He was instructor of English at the University from 1920 to 1928. During this time he was faculty advisor to the Negro-Caucasian Club, one of the first interracial student organizations in the United States. From 1928 to 1932 Johnson was Assistant Professor of English at Long Island University. He taught evening classes at the City College of New York from 1930-1932, but was dismissed in part because he was faculty advisor to the Liberal Club, a radical student organization.
From 1934 to 1935, Johnson taught in the New York Workers School. He then went to Russia where he was Docent in the Department of English of the Institute of Modern Languages from 1935 to 1936. After his return to the United States, Johnson taught at several colleges in the South. From 1940 to 1944 he worked on the staff of the Daily Worker. Johnson spent his later years in New York City, writing and tutoring English.
Johnson has published articles in many magazines, including The Journal of Adult Education, The Nation, and The New Republic, among others. He also wrote a biography of Charles E. Ruthenberg, founder of the Communist party of the United States, entitled The Day is Coming.