---
title: James Weldon Johnson - Author, Diplomat, Public Servant
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/owi-alston-james-weldon-johnson-1943/
description: 'A pencil biographical panel centres a large portrait of James Weldon Johnson, with three small vignettes: a handshake with an officer at a consul''s desk.'
section: Collection
---

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3. James Weldon Johnson - Author, Diplomat, Public Servant

[![James Weldon Johnson - Author, Diplomat, Public Servant, 1943 US cartoon: A pencil biographical panel centres a large](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/owi-alston-james-weldon-johnson-1943.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/owi-alston-james-weldon-johnson-1943.jpg)

# James Weldon Johnson - Author, Diplomat, Public Servant

A pencil biographical panel centres a large portrait of James Weldon Johnson, with three small vignettes: a handshake with an officer at a consul's desk, two men at a piano, and the presentation of a medal. Printed paragraphs summarise his career. The tell is testimonial: a named, admired figure is held up as an example for the audience.

## Propaganda techniques used in this cartoon

[Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
AUTHOR, DIPLOMAT, PUBLIC SERVANT

An able statesman, he served as U.S. consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua. He was an early advocate of the good neighbor policy toward South America.

James Weldon, and his brother, Rosamond were internationally famous as song writers. Their hit songs were featured by such fabulous stars as Anna Held and Lillian Russell!

Easily one of the most talented and versatile men of his generation. He received the coveted Spingarn Medal in 1925 for his achievements as statesman, poet, musician, teacher, journalist and crusader.

Alston OWI
```

[← "It's the least you can do!!"](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/owi-alston-its-the-least-you-can-do-1943/) [Lieut. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Air Fighter →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/owi-alston-lt-col-benjamin-davis-jr-air-fighter-1943/)

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