William DeHart Hubbard | African American Resources | Cincinnati History Library and Archives

William DeHart Hubbard
1903-1976

William DeHart Hubbard was born in Cincinnati on November 25, 1903. Before entering Walnut Hills High School, he attended both Douglass School and Stowe School. After graduation from Walnut Hills, Hubbard attended the University of Michigan where he competed in track and field events. In 1924, Hubbard participated in the Olympic games in Paris. He won the gold medal for the running long jump, becoming the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event.

After graduating from U of M in 1927, Hubbard took a job as supervisor of the Department of Colored Work for Cincinnati’s Public Recreation Commission. He worked for the Recreation Commission until 1941 when he became manager of Valley Homes. In 1942 Hubbard moved to Cleveland to work for the Federal Public Housing Authority. He retired in 1969 and died in Cleveland in 1976.

To learn more about William DeHart Hubbard, consult the following resources:

Olympic Letter by DeHart Hubbard

DeHart Hubbard Collection
Mss 1067
This manuscript collection contains the Olympic letter from DeHart Hubbard to his mother in 1924 (shown above) and copies of biographical material related to Hubbard. Request slip

Urban League of Greater Cincinnati, 1921-1975
Mss 580
This manuscript collection of 60 boxes contains a wealth of information relating not only to the African American community of Cincinnati, but also to a wide variety of social agencies. Information pertaining specifically to Hubbard can be found in:
Box 39, Folder 11 – Annual reports for the Public Recreation Commission for 1935 and 1936. Each report has a section written by Hubbard on the activities of the Department of Colored Work.
Box 39, Folder 7 – several items relating to his work with the Recreation Commission and one item about his membership on the 1940 Racial Amity Committee. Request slip

Souvenir Program: Tenth Anniversary of the New Douglass School
Pamphlets q372.9 D737
This anniversary booklet contains information on Hubbard's athletic accomplishments and a photograph. View catalog record Request slip

Cincinnati's Colored Citizens
By Wendell P. Dabney
General 301.451 D114, 1988
Cincinnati's Colored Citizens contains information on Hubbard's athletic accomplishments and a photograph (pages 136-137). View catalog record Request slip

William DeHart Hubbard Collection
History Objects
This collection of historical objects includes athletic medals from Hubbard's high school and college years. Request slip

In the Shadows: Cincinnati's Black Baseball Players
By Lonnie Wheeler and John Baskin in Queen City Heritage, Vol. 46, No. 2, Summer 1988, pages 13-19.
General f906 H673B
This article by Lonnie Wheeler and John Baskin covers the history of African American baseball clubs and players in Cincinnati. DeHart Hubbard is mentioned for his role with the Excelsiors and the Cincinnati Tigers. View article (PDF)

Sources Used for Biographical Sketch:

Dabney, Wendell P., Cincinnati's Colored Citizens, General 301.451 D114, Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati Museum Center.
Souvenir Program: Tenth Anniversary of the New Douglass School, Pamphlets 372.9 qD737, Cincinnati History Library and Archives, Cincinnati Museum Center.

Cincinnati History Library and Archives
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Phone: (513) 287-7030
Email: library@cincymuseum.org