2018 Birss Exhibition

Below are selected images and letters from the 2018 Birss Exhibition on Eldridge Cleaver's Soul on Ice. For more information about the book please see our Soul on Ice Libguide . For more information about the The John Howard Birss, Jr. Memorial Program please see our schedule of events.

2018 Birss Exhibition

Selected images from the 2018 Birss Exhibition for Soul on Ice

Eldridge Cleaver (wearing dark glasses) with Alprentice (Bunchy) Carter, founder of the Los Angeles branch of the Black Panther Party. Carter was killed in Los Angeles in January 1969.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Eldridge Cleaver circa 1968.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Paris portraits of Eldridge Cleaver circa 1975.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Paris portraits of Eldridge Cleaver circa 1975.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Paris portraits of Eldridge Cleaver circa 1975.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Cleaver family photograph circa mid 1970s.
Left to right: Joju, Kathleen, Eldridge, Maceo

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Affidavit, April 19, 1968, pages 9-10.

Prepared by Eldridge Cleaver to be used in this legal defense following the ambush of the Oakland Police in which Bobby Hutton was killed and Eldridge Cleaver and two police officers were wounded.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Affidavit, April 19, 1968, pages 9-10.

Prepared by Eldridge Cleaver to be used in this legal defense following the ambush of the Oakland Police in which Bobby Hutton was killed and Eldridge Cleaver and two police officers were wounded.
Eldridge Cleaver and U.S. People’s Anti-Imperialist Delegation giving raised fist salute, North Vietnam, 1970.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Eldridge Cleaver and U.S. People’s Anti-Imperialist Delegation in front of Tiananmen Square, 1970.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver entering American Embassy with lawyer, Carl Salans, Place de Madeleine, Paris, 1975. Setting in motion the process to allow his repatriation to the United States.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Eldridge Cleaver in front of press clippings on the wall of a room in Paris, 1975.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter from Eldridge Cleaver to his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, written on June 25, 1965, pages 9-11. Soul on Ice is based on Cleaver’s writings while in prison, many of which he shared with his lawyer who eventually became his lover. This passage became part of “On Becoming”, the first chapter of the first section: Letters from Prison.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter from Eldridge Cleaver to his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, written on June 25, 1965, pages 9-11. Soul on Ice is based on Cleaver’s writings while in prison, many of which he shared with his lawyer who eventually became his lover. This passage became part of “On Becoming”, the first chapter of the first section: Letters from Prison.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter from Eldridge Cleaver to his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, written on June 25, 1965, pages 9-11. Soul on Ice is based on Cleaver’s writings while in prison, many of which he shared with his lawyer who eventually became his lover. This passage became part of “On Becoming”, the first chapter of the first section: Letters from Prison.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter to Eldridge Cleaver written by his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, on April 5, 1966. In this letter Axelrod alludes to pages of excerpts from various letters written by Eldridge to her and the editorial suggestions she had offered if the works were to be published. Additionally, the romantic nature of their relationship is quite evident.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
The Martin Luther King Memorial Prize 1970 awarded to Eldridge Cleaver for “Soul on Ice”

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
“Excerpts from Reviews of Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver”

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
“Why I’m Running for President”

Handwritten manuscript written during Cleaver’s presidential campaign in 1968 on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
“Why I’m Running for President”

Handwritten manuscript written during Cleaver’s presidential campaign in 1968 on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley
Notes written by Cleaver reflecting on his two-and-a-half years in the Soledad State Prison having been convicted of a felony drug charge for dealing marijuana at the age of 18.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Reflection on Malcolm X
Handwritten manuscript revealing how Cleaver was inspired by Malcolm X.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Handwritten note from Eldridge while in exile to his mother, 1969.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter from Eldridge while in prison to his mother, November 3, 1965.

Eldridge reflects on his love for his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, and his plans to marry her subsequent to his release from prison. However, the relationship ended shortly after his release. Eldridge also mentions the opportunity to write for Ramparts based on a meeting with the magazine’s founder, Edward Keating.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Love poem written by Eldridge while in prison to his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, on the occasion of her birthday, March 3, 1966.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Love poem written by Eldridge while in prison to his lawyer, Beverly Axelrod, on the occasion of her birthday, March 3, 1966.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter from Eldridge, following his return from exile, to his son, Maceo. January 28, 1976.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter of endorsement from Norman Mailer regarding Cleaver’s talent as a gifted writer. October 27, 1965.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter of rejection to Cirilly Abels, literary agent for Eldridge Cleaver, regarding the submission of Cleaver’s “Lazarus, Come Forth” to Saturday Evening Post. “Lazarus, Come Forth” was finally published as a chapter in the critically acclaimed Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter of rejection to Cirilly Abels, literary agent for Eldridge Cleaver, regarding the submission of Cleaver’s “Lazarus, Come Forth” to Saturday Review. “Lazarus, Come Forth” was finally published as a chapter in the critically acclaimed Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter of rejection to Cirilly Abels, literary agent for Eldridge Cleaver, regarding the submission of Cleaver’s “Lazarus, Come Forth” to Commentary. “Lazarus, Come Forth” was finally published as a chapter in the critically acclaimed Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letter of rejection to Cirilly Abels, literary agent for Eldridge Cleaver, regarding the submission of Cleaver’s “Lazarus, Come Forth” to Mademoiselle. “Lazarus, Come Forth” was finally published as a chapter in the critically acclaimed Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
“Uptight in Babylon,” Typescript, 1971. Manuscript composed by Cleaver while in exile, reflecting on the Afro-American struggle in the United States and the history of the Black Panther Party.

This section is a personal account of the shootout with the Oakland Police on April 6, 1968, which resulted in the death of Bobby Hutton and forced Cleaver into exile for seven years.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
“Uptight in Babylon,” Typescript, 1971. Manuscript composed by Cleaver while in exile, reflecting on the Afro-American struggle in the United States and the history of the Black Panther Party.

This section is a personal account of the shootout with the Oakland Police on April 6, 1968, which resulted in the death of Bobby Hutton and forced Cleaver into exile for seven years.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
"An Aside to Ronald Reagan," typescript of article that appeared in Ramparts, 1968 October 26
An unabashed rant by Eldridge Cleaver against Ronald Reagan following Reagan’s objection to Cleaver teaching a course at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 1968. The then-Governor Reagan expressed his outrage stating: “If Eldridge Cleaver is allowed to teach our children, they may come home one night and slit our throats."

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

"An Aside to Ronald Reagan," typescript of article that appeared in Ramparts, 1968 October 26
An unabashed rant by Eldridge Cleaver against Ronald Reagan following Reagan’s objection to Cleaver teaching a course at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 1968. The then-Governor Reagan expressed his outrage stating: “If Eldridge Cleaver is allowed to teach our children, they may come home one night and slit our throats."

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

"An Aside to Ronald Reagan," typescript of article that appeared in Ramparts, 1968 October 26
An unabashed rant by Eldridge Cleaver against Ronald Reagan following Reagan’s objection to Cleaver teaching a course at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 1968. The then-Governor Reagan expressed his outrage stating: “If Eldridge Cleaver is allowed to teach our children, they may come home one night and slit our throats."

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

"An Aside to Ronald Reagan," typescript of article that appeared in Ramparts, 1968 October 26
An unabashed rant by Eldridge Cleaver against Ronald Reagan following Reagan’s objection to Cleaver teaching a course at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 1968. The then-Governor Reagan expressed his outrage stating: “If Eldridge Cleaver is allowed to teach our children, they may come home one night and slit our throats."

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

"An Aside to Ronald Reagan," typescript of article that appeared in Ramparts, 1968 October 26
An unabashed rant by Eldridge Cleaver against Ronald Reagan following Reagan’s objection to Cleaver teaching a course at the University of California, Berkeley in the fall of 1968. The then-Governor Reagan expressed his outrage stating: “If Eldridge Cleaver is allowed to teach our children, they may come home one night and slit our throats."

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver meeting with the press upon their return to the United States, 1975.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Eldridge and Kathleen Cleaver meeting with the press upon their return to the United States, 1975.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Photograph Collection, 1966-circa 1982, BANC PIC 1991.078. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
“Malik as Hero”

Cleaver’s reflections on the nature of a black hero in African-American fiction. Written while in prison, 1965.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
MALCOLM X: "Initial Reaction: On the Assassination of Malcolm X," typescript, 1965.

Typescript with handwritten notes that became the sixth chapter in Part I, Letters from Prison, in Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
MALCOLM X: "Initial Reaction: On the Assassination of Malcolm X," typescript, 1965.

Typescript with handwritten notes that became the sixth chapter in Part I, Letters from Prison, in Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
MALCOLM X: "Initial Reaction: On the Assassination of Malcolm X," typescript, 1965.

Typescript with handwritten notes that became the sixth chapter in Part I, Letters from Prison, in Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
MALCOLM X: "Initial Reaction: On the Assassination of Malcolm X," typescript, 1965.

Typescript with handwritten notes that became the sixth chapter in Part I, Letters from Prison, in Soul on Ice.

Source: Eldridge Cleaver Papers, 1963-1988, BANC MSS 91/213c. Courtesy of The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Photo of Exhibition display case.
Photo of Exhibition display case.
Photo of Exhibition flat display case.
Photo of Exhibition flat display case.