The friendship between Countee Cullen and Harold Jackman began when they were both students at DeWitt Clinton High School.
Despite being prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance—Cullen as a celebrated poet and Jackman as a educator, model, and patron of the arts—both were private about their personal lives.
Their bond, however, was a constant through the years, and they maintained a close, intimate friendship, which some have speculated may have been romantic, though neither ever publicly confirmed this.
Their relationship reflects the complexities of being Black, queer (or rumored to be), and public figures in a time when societal norms heavily restricted open expression of their identities.
Cullen and Jackman remained lifelong confidants and shared a deep, affectionate connection that underscored their personal and creative lives.
THE LETTER
30 Hastings Hall,
Cambridge, Mass.
Sept. 28, 1925.Dear Harold,
This letter is for your private consumption, inasmuch as it may contain confessions and descriptions of things that might not be approved by more orthodox minds. In the first place, I slept in silk pajamas last night. Talk of the thrill that comes only once in a life time, that was one; taffy-colored silk pajamas. You see, one of our brothers gave a small party to celebrate my coming to Cambridge, and the celebration was so strenuous and so lasting that it was out of the question for me to think of going back to my rooms. Hence, the silk pajamas. And a splitting headache all this blessed day. Now, don’t you get the idea that I am up here running wild; fact is, classes don’t begin for me until Friday.
Harvard is a wonderful place, and I am all keyed up for a wonderful time. The one regretful thing about the situation is that a person really ought to have his very pal up here with him. Then everything would be fine. I certainly do miss you a terrible lot, and it didn’t take me a long time to find out. But it won’t be long before I’ll see you again, although it may not be until Christmas, as some one was telling me that they only allow one day up here for Thanksgiving. But maybe some concessions are made to Graduate Students.
We waited for you last Thursday afternoon until three thirty, and I was sorry not to see you again. But wasn’t I right in telling you so long the night before? I told you you wouldn’t come back. Why didn’t you? Were you angry with me for what transpired Wednesday night? I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t help it.
Will you send me by return mail that snap of you and myself which you say you have? I want to send it to a chap out in Kansas. I have been promising him a snap for two months. In case you don’t care to write immediately, just put the photo in the enclosed envelope, and write later. I am also enclosing an endorsed checked for ten dollars. This brings my Christmas fun up to twenty-five dollars.
If I don’t get to New York for Thanksgiving, won’t you try to come up here? I can promise you a fine time. I had a letter from Carl saying he intends coming to Boston this winter. That will be too bad!
I’ll write you about my classes after I attend them. Meanwhile, don’t forget my folks entirely. How did you like the talking pictures? Let me know. Write soon, and tell me all the dirt.
Your affectionate friend,
Countee
VINTAGE PHOTOS
COUNTEE CULLEN (1903-1946)
American Poet
HAROLD JACKMAN (1901-1961)
American Educator + Model + Art Patron
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