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From Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Author: Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David) (United States. White House)

Date: November 13, 1958

Location: Washington, D.C.

Genre: Letter

Topic: Montgomery Bus Boycott

Details

King sent Eisenhower a copy of Stride Toward Freedom with the inscription: "Time was too brief when we met to express fully, the deep, passionate longing of the Negro people for freedom. I hope the more extended discussion in this book will, in some measure, reflect the meaning of the struggle whose outcome so materially affects the destiny of our nation." 1 On 12 November Rocco Siciliano wrote a note to Eisenhower's secretary, Ann Whitman, suggesting that she or the president write a thank-you note to King.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
309 South Jackson
Montgomery, Alabama

PERSONAL

Dear Dr. King:

Thank you very much for sending to me a copy of your book entitled, "Stride Toward Freedom." I greatly appreciate your thought of me, as do I your cordial personal inscription.2

With best wishes,

Sincerely,
[signed] Dwight D Eisenhower

PERSONAL

1. A note card in the White House gift file quoted King's inscription to the president (Record of gift of Stride Toward Freedom with inscription to Dwight D. Eisenhower, 10 November 1958).

2. Other government officials who received inscribed copies from King include Adlai Stevenson, Richard Nixon, former president Harry Truman, Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, and Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black.

Source: MLKP-MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Boston University, Boston, Mass.

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