Primary Source Spotlight: Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was an openly gay civil rights activist, social reformer, pacifist, AIDS activist, and author. He was the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.

Bayard Rustin photos

Bayard Rustin historical newspaper coverage from 1942

Race, Religion, and Nationalism — Basic Problems of World Peace 1943

Institute of International Relations 1949

The Application of Non-Violence 1951

Bayard Rustin to supporters of the War Resisters League 1953

Bayard Rustin. Southern Negro Leaders Conference on Transportation and Non-Violent Integration 1956

Bayard Rustin speaks about non-violence 1957

Youth March for Integrated Schools 1958

Organizers Plan March Strategy 1963

Preparing for the March 1963

The Preamble for the March on Washington Bayard Rustin, Tom Kahn, and Norman Hill 1963

Summit Conference on Civil Rights 1964

H.Res.319 – Recognizing Bayard Rustin for his lifelong leadership in the civil rights, labor, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights movements and for his exemplary dedication to realizing true equality and freedom in the United States 113th Congress (2013-2014)

H.R.5220: Bayard Rustin Stamp Act 118th Congress (2023-2024)

The Bayard Rustin Papers event recording 2013

Library blog posts

• Bayard Rustin’s Perseverance Picture This
• Inside the March on Washington: Bayard Rustin’s “Army” Timeless Stories from the Library
• Looking for Leaders Behind the Scenes: Bayard Rustin and his Role in African American History Teaching with the Library

Primary Sources and Picture Books: A Song for the Unsung: Bayard Rustin, the Man Behind the 1963 March on Washington by Carole Boston Weatherford, Rob Sanders, and Byron McCray primary source set | lesson outline