Richard B. Moore, Radical Politics, And the Afro-American History Movement: The Formation of a Revolutionary Tradition in African American Intellectual Culture‪.‬

Richard B. Moore, lay historian, dynamic orator, community and labor organizer, socialist, and Communist was a leading representative of the intellectual tradition termed as Black "historians without portfolio." (2) In addition to writing historical works, Moore was also a Black book dealer and Africana bibliophile. Arguably the general public usually associates the prototype of Africana bibliophiles with Arthur Schomburg and his extensive collection. Of course, many are now aware that Schomburg's collection forms the basis for the famed research library in Harlem, which bears his name. Less known but equally significant is the fact that not only were Moore and Schomburg close friends and fellow bibliophiles, but also there is Moore's own impressive collection of 5,000 books and 15,000 pamphlets, booklets and periodicals, which serve as the foundation for the Richard B. Moore Library in St. Michaels, Barbados. (3) Moore has not received the full scholarly attention that he richly deserves. In part, this is due to the fact that he stood outside of the walls of academia. What is more, given his radical politics, we discover that his contributions to African American historiography, the African American Marxist political tradition in the United States, Caribbean independence and unity, the Pan-Africanist movement, and his scholarship and teaching toward the elevation of a sense of Black pride and dignity among the grassroots Black community are not fully appreciated. (4)