Letters from Edgar's Trunk with Marilyn Elizabeth Thornton

Letters  From  Edgar’s  Trunk  is  a  fascinating  account  of  Black  civilian life in rural Virginia during World War I as reflected in letters between James Edgar Thornton, his family and friends. This collection of letters not only captures the vibrations of everyday Black life during wartime, but also discloses the continuing reality of civilian existence in America, in contrast to the terror of war in Europe. While the absence of details of military life among soldiers in America and Europe may reflect the imposition of wartime security measures and censorship, Edgar’s Letters reflect a deeper concern for the family, which may suffer in his absence than for any personal peril his military service may impose. 

Marilyn Thornton holds a Masters Degree in fine Arts from Catholic University of America. She was Assistant Professor for Art at the University of Eastern Shore. Her interest in family history and discovery of Edgar's letters motivated her to compile Letters from Edgar's Trunk.