SAMUEL WASHINGTON ALLEN

1917 - 2015

BORN

1917

DIED

2015

About

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SAMUEL ALLEN Obituary

ALLEN, Samuel Washington Poet, professor, and lawyer was born December 9, 1917 in Columbus, Ohio. He was the son of Bishop Alexander Joseph Allen of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Jewett Margaret Allen. Samuel Allen died peacefully on Saturday, June 27, 2015 in Norwood, Massachusetts surrounded by his beloved daughter, Dr. Catherine Allen, Tucson, AZ; a loyal niece, Leslie Allen, New York City and a long-time, devoted companion, Helen Cummings, Milton, MA. He was predeceased by his three brothers, Alexander Joseph Allen, George Wesley Allen and Griffin Marion Allen. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Samuel Allen graduated first in his class from Fisk University, Nashville, TN with a degree in Sociology in 1938. While at Fisk, he also studied poetry with James Weldon Johnson. He continued his education at Harvard Law School, where he received his law degree in 1941. He was drafted in the U. S. Army in 1942 and served in the Adjutant General's Corps until 1946. He then pursued graduate studies at The New School for Social Research in NY City during 1946-48 and subsequently studied at the Sorbonne, Paris, France during 1949-50 on a G.I. bill. Samuel Allen lived in Europe, primarily in France, for seven years, and was invited by Richard Wright to publish several poems in the journal Presence Africaine. After the war, his varied career included work as deputy assistant district attorney in the government of New York City, 1946-47; civilian attorney 1951-55; private practice as an attorney 1956-58; professor of law, Texas Southern University 1958-60; assistant general counsel in the U. S. Information Agency 1961-64; chief counsel, Community Relations Service, Washington D. C. 1965-68; professor of humanities, Tuskegee Institute 1968-70; and professor of English, Boston University 1971-81. Samuel Allen, was well known as a poet who published many works under the pen name, Paul Vesey. His 19 works included Elfenbein Zahne in 1956; Ivory Tusks and Other Poems in 1968; Paul Vesey's Ledger in 1975, and Every Round and Other Poems in 1987. On April 2, 2010 he was inducted into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent at The Gwendolyn Brooks Center, Chicago State University, Chicago. A family celebration of his life funeral service was held on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. in the Huntington Chapel, Greenlawn Cemetery, Columbus, OH. He was buried there in the family's plot. At that service the family requested donations be made in Samuel Washington Allen's name to Fisk University, class of 1938. A Samuel Washington Allen Memorial Fund has been established in partnership with Fisk University. Those wishing to donate in the name of his legacy may contact: The Samuel Washington Allen Memorial Fund, c/o Dr. Edwina Harris Hamby, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Fisk University, 1000 17th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208, [email protected]. A national memorial serviced scheduled for Saturday, October 10th has been deferred until a date and venue yet to be announced. Those wishing to receive updated memorial information as soon as becomes available may call or text (617) 294-9889 or email: [email protected]

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Published by Boston Globe from Oct. 3 to Oct. 4, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for SAMUEL ALLEN

3 Entries

To my deepest condolences to Sam's family. I had much Love and respect for him as a professor, poet, mentor, role modal, and as human being. He was my

Sayif Sanyika

May 10, 2020

To my deepest condolences to Sam's family. I had much Love and respect for him as a professor, poet, mentor, role modal, and as human being. He was my professor at B.U., and wrote the introduction to my first book of poetry. In the Spirit of love, thank you, Sam. Oh, tell God You got a friend not to long behind you, so leave the door cracked, so maybe I can squeeze in. Sayif Sanyika.

October 4, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss.
"May you ... surround and comfort me."
~Psalms 71:21

October 4, 2015

Sam Allen was a wonderful poet and a fine person. Though I think I first met him through Boston University, my fondest encounter with him was in the mid-l970s when the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists presented an exhibition of his Poems from African accompanied by illustrations by Romare Bearden. Sam attended our opening, abd expressed appreciation for the presentation of his work and Bearden's together in an exhibition format. We were proud to have had that opportunity, and to have brought to our Boston public the work of an area poet along with the art of a very well known leading figure in the visual arts.

Edmund Barry Gaither
Director, Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Boston, MA

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