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Boss of the Grips: The Life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal
In a feat of remarkable research and timely reclamation, Eric K. Washington uncovers the nearly forgotten life of James H. Williams (1878–1948), the chief porter of Grand Central Terminal’s Red Caps—a multitude of Harlem-based black men whom he organized into the essential labor force of America’s most august railroad station. Washington reveals that despite the highly racialized and often exploitative nature of the work, the Red Cap was a highly coveted job for college-bound black men determined to join New York’s bourgeoning middle class. Examining the deeply intertwined subjects of class, labor, and African American history, Washington chronicles Williams’s life, showing how the enterprising son of freed slaves successfully navigated the segregated world of the northern metropolis, and in so doing ultimately achieved financial and social influence. With this biography, Williams must now be considered, along with Cornelius Vanderbilt and Jacqueline Onassis, one of the great heroes of Grand Central’s storied past.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2019
10 people are currently reading
1299 people want to read
About the author
Eric K. Washington
2 books13 followersEric K. Washington is a New York City-based independent historian. His most recent book, Boss of the Grips: The Life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal (Liveright/W.W. Norton), a biography of a once influential Harlem-based labor figure of the American railroad. The book was a winner of the Herbert H. Lehman Prize, a winner of the GANYC Apple Award and a finalist for the Brendan Gill Prize. It was also cited among Open Letters Review 's 10 Best Biographies of 2019, and The Bowery Boys Podcast's 10 Favorite Books of 2019.
His first book, Manhattanville: Old Heart of West Harlem (Arcadia), was a richly imaged local history that inspired the permanent interpretive signage in West Harlem Piers Park, a design project that was awarded the 2010 MASterworks Award from the Municipal Art Society of New York.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 26, 2020
Let me start by saying that this really isn't a biography of James Williams but rather an overall look at NYC during the time period of 1920-50s. Although Mr. Williams appears throughout the book, the author concentrates on social issues of the times and the lives of the Red Caps, those ever-present gentlemen who were an integral part of train travel through Grand Central Terminal.
Becoming a Red Cap was one of the few jobs available to African-American males and some took the job to earn money for further education while others made it their career. Mr Williams who was known as the Chief, was responsible for hiring/firing these men and developing a training program which made them conversant and knowledgeable about NYC in order that they were ready to answer a traveler's questions.
Mr. Williams was also interested in music and helped develop the Red Cap Orchestra which often appeared on early radio. This interest was spurred by the Harlem Renaissance which sprang up in the 20-30s and the author provides quite a bit of space about the celebrities of the time.
One particular weakness that bothered me was the author's use of terms such as "it is possible that Mr. Williams was present" or "Mr. Williams probably knew about......". A true biography is not built on "probably" or "possible" but on hard facts (at least in most cases!). I think the author would have been better served by strictly identifying this book as a history of the Red Caps which is more representative of the content.
Still, it is an informative look at the life that swirled around Grand Central Terminal and the ubiquitous Red Caps.
Becoming a Red Cap was one of the few jobs available to African-American males and some took the job to earn money for further education while others made it their career. Mr Williams who was known as the Chief, was responsible for hiring/firing these men and developing a training program which made them conversant and knowledgeable about NYC in order that they were ready to answer a traveler's questions.
Mr. Williams was also interested in music and helped develop the Red Cap Orchestra which often appeared on early radio. This interest was spurred by the Harlem Renaissance which sprang up in the 20-30s and the author provides quite a bit of space about the celebrities of the time.
One particular weakness that bothered me was the author's use of terms such as "it is possible that Mr. Williams was present" or "Mr. Williams probably knew about......". A true biography is not built on "probably" or "possible" but on hard facts (at least in most cases!). I think the author would have been better served by strictly identifying this book as a history of the Red Caps which is more representative of the content.
Still, it is an informative look at the life that swirled around Grand Central Terminal and the ubiquitous Red Caps.
January 2, 2020
“Boss of The Grips” tells of the life and times of James H. Williams, who was the Chief Attendant of the Red Caps at the Grand Central Terminal in New York. The Red Caps were a group of, most often Harlem-based, black baggage porters who helped train passengers navigate through the labyrinthine arteries of the Beaux Arts Grand Central station. Williams served as the Chief Attendant from 1908 until his death in 1948.
The book can read a little slow and dry at times, but it does a good job of highlighting lower- and middle-class black Americans trying to better their lives through hard work, post the American Civil War, in spite of the systemic racism they faced in every aspect of their lives. I suspect there are many more untold stories of black men and women like James H. Williams – who did what they had to do to better themselves and their families and never asked anyone to give them anything.
The book can read a little slow and dry at times, but it does a good job of highlighting lower- and middle-class black Americans trying to better their lives through hard work, post the American Civil War, in spite of the systemic racism they faced in every aspect of their lives. I suspect there are many more untold stories of black men and women like James H. Williams – who did what they had to do to better themselves and their families and never asked anyone to give them anything.
February 28, 2020
ehhhhhh
January 4, 2020
Good story
January 28, 2020
Boss of the Grips: The Life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal by Eric K. Washington is a different book than I expected. Williams lived from 1878 to 1948 and he was the chief of the Red Caps in Grand Central Station. His family history is one from slavery to freedom. His father, John Wesley Williams, used the Underground RR to escape to NYC. He worked hard in the hotel business. Like many Black men in his era, James Williams could not secure solid education, but worked the hotel and related service industries, like delivering flowers, to gain skills, abilities to interact with others, as well as a reputation for being reliable. Hotels and other parts of the hospitality industry needed workers and these are the jobs that were open to Black people.
As Washington states on p. 15, “John Wesley Williams recognized the hospitality trade both as an occupational plight and a lifeline.” Both John and his wife, Lucy, worked to sustain the family in an era when there were few opportunities in the city. Starting at the Sturdevant Hotel in 1873, John raised a family and prepared his sons for a life in the same trade. As young boys, his sons worked delivering high end flowers for Thorley, a relationship that would endure for years when Williams had his own position of power.
Cornelius Vanderbilt moved from shipping, which he dominated during the Civil War to railroads. He consolidated several lines and built a new depot, later a station and finally the Terminal in Grand Central on 42 Street. Part of his work force were attendants, initially White, but over time the corps of Red Caps would be Black men. George Daniels, the NY Central Railroad general passenger agent decided on a uniform, which “codified the ancient practice of livery,” so that passengers could readily identify these men who would help them with their baggage. These new station were large so it was a long walk from the platform to the street for taxis and other vehicles. James Williams was hired in 1903, but became Chief in 1909 and remained in that position for decades.
These men, supposed pay by the RR, really worked for tips. Applicants had to have recommendations and clean records, but Williams really groomed them to be a force. Many Black men used their summer employment to attend college and Williams himself encouraged men to move into other employment, especially municipal work like the police and the fire department. Williams own son, Wesley, not only played on teams, but was a Red Cap at Penn Station and studied for the fire department. He joined the fire department and moved up the ranks when there were few Black people in such positions. Williams encourage another Red Cap to study for the police examination and he got on the force and moved up the ranks. For the Black men in the late 19th century and in the days before World War II, there were few employment options—thus service work is a life line and many transitioned to other occupations. Some became leaders and professionals who earned left important legacies.
Penn Station also had Red Caps, so there was some movement between the two, but also their chiefs organized baseball teams and other athletes that build strength and discipline and was part of the social organizations of the Black communities, especially in Harlem and the Bronx. Williams established a Red Caps orchestra, where many musicians honed their skills and they were able to earn additional income as well as work events for charities. Thus, Eric K. Washington book is not just about the work, but about the Black community in this era, their movement from the Tenderloin to Harlem and other sections of the city and the social organizations that they built. It was still the era of segregation, so people might be polite as you greeted them at the station and formal gathering, but this book is more of a window into the Negro world.
World War I and the Depression were also challenging, so there are efforts to supplement the little the federal and non-profits did for Negro troops. We know the New Deal did not immediately bring relief for Negroes, so efforts were made to raised funds. The fact that these groups of men were organized made a huge difference, not just in their battle to improved their own employment situation, but the lives of community members who were really not on the radar for most politicians at that historical moment.
Being a Red Cap could also be a fall back occupation when many men lost their own business during the Depression. Williams would hire people who were professionals, as many Red Caps had college degrees. We learn this information about Pullman Porters, but those who stayed in the stations, giving people directions and answering questions, were also knowledgeable.
In the Depression, Williams had to downsize his home, move into the Dunbar and eventually sell his home on Strivers Row at a loss. These leaders of the Red Caps were never wealthy, even though they had the ears of wealthy White men. Williams went far with little education, but he encouraged others to attend college.
Like others caught in the service industry, these men were well not compensated for their work. They did push to organize a union, since they could be members of the White union that covered people who handled baggage. It is a story we know well. Williams, who had consistently supported individuals and causes like the NAACP, had to remain silent on the matter, but it did direct the press to the people they should be talking with about the plight of the Red Caps.
The wage hour bill in 1939 did not really help them, since they had to report their tips and consequently there was a limit on what they could earn in a day. Yet, their organizing was strong and people developed in various ways. What was fascinating was learning the history of the first Black person to become a fireman, the first on the police force and many of them came from the Red Caps. Progress was slow and during this time period of the beginning of World War II, men saw that they could get an education and not use it. These barriers would slowly come down at various rates around the nation.
The leadership of A. Phillip Randolph and others who pushed for the March on Washington in 1941 really made a difference in some places. In this era, many race leaders were pushing for rights on many fronts and the war was an opening. Yet, the stories are hard when the Red Caps Barbershop Quartet wins the New York state wide competition and then cannot compete in the nationals in Missouri, since the organization does not want to upset their southern friends. Talented people could not compete with their team because of race, yet, you can also see how many White people in the 1940s recognize these injustices.
Williams dies in 1948, but was remember by many. It is nice that Eric Washington did the enormous research and produced this book. The work for racial progress that took places early in the 20th century is not appreciated enough. I’m glad that I have more knowledge of the many people in Harlem and other parts of the city who worked not only to support themselves, but to enhance the lives of others.
As Washington states on p. 15, “John Wesley Williams recognized the hospitality trade both as an occupational plight and a lifeline.” Both John and his wife, Lucy, worked to sustain the family in an era when there were few opportunities in the city. Starting at the Sturdevant Hotel in 1873, John raised a family and prepared his sons for a life in the same trade. As young boys, his sons worked delivering high end flowers for Thorley, a relationship that would endure for years when Williams had his own position of power.
Cornelius Vanderbilt moved from shipping, which he dominated during the Civil War to railroads. He consolidated several lines and built a new depot, later a station and finally the Terminal in Grand Central on 42 Street. Part of his work force were attendants, initially White, but over time the corps of Red Caps would be Black men. George Daniels, the NY Central Railroad general passenger agent decided on a uniform, which “codified the ancient practice of livery,” so that passengers could readily identify these men who would help them with their baggage. These new station were large so it was a long walk from the platform to the street for taxis and other vehicles. James Williams was hired in 1903, but became Chief in 1909 and remained in that position for decades.
These men, supposed pay by the RR, really worked for tips. Applicants had to have recommendations and clean records, but Williams really groomed them to be a force. Many Black men used their summer employment to attend college and Williams himself encouraged men to move into other employment, especially municipal work like the police and the fire department. Williams own son, Wesley, not only played on teams, but was a Red Cap at Penn Station and studied for the fire department. He joined the fire department and moved up the ranks when there were few Black people in such positions. Williams encourage another Red Cap to study for the police examination and he got on the force and moved up the ranks. For the Black men in the late 19th century and in the days before World War II, there were few employment options—thus service work is a life line and many transitioned to other occupations. Some became leaders and professionals who earned left important legacies.
Penn Station also had Red Caps, so there was some movement between the two, but also their chiefs organized baseball teams and other athletes that build strength and discipline and was part of the social organizations of the Black communities, especially in Harlem and the Bronx. Williams established a Red Caps orchestra, where many musicians honed their skills and they were able to earn additional income as well as work events for charities. Thus, Eric K. Washington book is not just about the work, but about the Black community in this era, their movement from the Tenderloin to Harlem and other sections of the city and the social organizations that they built. It was still the era of segregation, so people might be polite as you greeted them at the station and formal gathering, but this book is more of a window into the Negro world.
World War I and the Depression were also challenging, so there are efforts to supplement the little the federal and non-profits did for Negro troops. We know the New Deal did not immediately bring relief for Negroes, so efforts were made to raised funds. The fact that these groups of men were organized made a huge difference, not just in their battle to improved their own employment situation, but the lives of community members who were really not on the radar for most politicians at that historical moment.
Being a Red Cap could also be a fall back occupation when many men lost their own business during the Depression. Williams would hire people who were professionals, as many Red Caps had college degrees. We learn this information about Pullman Porters, but those who stayed in the stations, giving people directions and answering questions, were also knowledgeable.
In the Depression, Williams had to downsize his home, move into the Dunbar and eventually sell his home on Strivers Row at a loss. These leaders of the Red Caps were never wealthy, even though they had the ears of wealthy White men. Williams went far with little education, but he encouraged others to attend college.
Like others caught in the service industry, these men were well not compensated for their work. They did push to organize a union, since they could be members of the White union that covered people who handled baggage. It is a story we know well. Williams, who had consistently supported individuals and causes like the NAACP, had to remain silent on the matter, but it did direct the press to the people they should be talking with about the plight of the Red Caps.
The wage hour bill in 1939 did not really help them, since they had to report their tips and consequently there was a limit on what they could earn in a day. Yet, their organizing was strong and people developed in various ways. What was fascinating was learning the history of the first Black person to become a fireman, the first on the police force and many of them came from the Red Caps. Progress was slow and during this time period of the beginning of World War II, men saw that they could get an education and not use it. These barriers would slowly come down at various rates around the nation.
The leadership of A. Phillip Randolph and others who pushed for the March on Washington in 1941 really made a difference in some places. In this era, many race leaders were pushing for rights on many fronts and the war was an opening. Yet, the stories are hard when the Red Caps Barbershop Quartet wins the New York state wide competition and then cannot compete in the nationals in Missouri, since the organization does not want to upset their southern friends. Talented people could not compete with their team because of race, yet, you can also see how many White people in the 1940s recognize these injustices.
Williams dies in 1948, but was remember by many. It is nice that Eric Washington did the enormous research and produced this book. The work for racial progress that took places early in the 20th century is not appreciated enough. I’m glad that I have more knowledge of the many people in Harlem and other parts of the city who worked not only to support themselves, but to enhance the lives of others.
June 7, 2020
This will be a somewhat odd review, written in the midst of worldwide protests about police brutality and racism. I struggled w this book, having been more interested in New York City history than the history of this particular individual and his family. I finished it however. It was written w scrupulous detail and in a nice, readable tone. It stuck with me somehow. Today, I found myself tweeting about it to a certain Professor Charles Negy, who has a book out, one that to me that smacks of African Americans just not having applied themselves enough as their Asian counterparts have. Professor Negy believes they need feedback from . . . white people, I suppose. So I tweeted three excerpts fr this book to the Professor’s account today, calling him out on a lack of facts and his specious logic. This book, as well as Isabel Wilkerson’s masterpiece, provide just that, facts about how white New York paid African American redcaps less, making them rely on tips; how many trades were off limit to African Americans, who were not permitted to work alongside whites; how the Negro league players were given inferior fields and playing times; and how real estate and trades worked against African Americans, keeping them out, down, and aside. Then there is chapter 7, in which a young fire department recruit is hazed ... and much worse. So while this ended up not being the book I thought it was going to be, it has certainly etched itself into my conscience. And I hope Professor Charles Negy comes to realize how hopelessly foolish and obsolete his arguments are. For him and the rest of us, we have books like this to set us straight.
January 9, 2020
Chief Williams is an African American community hero. His parents were born into slavery and escaped this evil past and moved to NY. Chief Williams’ Red Cap Department employed a higher percentage of college men than any other department in Grand Centraol Station. Blacks could only work as Red Caps or Porters in Grand Central Station. He gave a helping hand to young men striving to improve their lives through hard work. Helped men earn a living to care for their families. Earn a living to attend college, medical school, law school, etc. He Started numerous Red Cap Sport teams and bands.
The African American community and others need to learn about the true history of our many every day HEROES.
The African American community and others need to learn about the true history of our many every day HEROES.
April 7, 2020
I've been trying to read more non-fiction and this biography was gripping (pun intended). It's a feel-good work because of all James H. Williams rose above. He also helped a number of others along the way. The book is about something that we as travelers take for granted. This book sheds new light on Red Caps and others in the service industries. I highly recommend this piece of history.
July 31, 2022
I couldn't finish this book. It was meandering and every sentence was overwritten as if the author was trying to prove they had an English degree. Williams had a remarkable life and influenced many people from what I knew of him before picking up the book. I hope to find some other sources that can reignite my interest.
May 27, 2024
Great NYC history
If you’re like me, I’m charmed by the history of New York’s Grand Central Station, so I was glad to have this very human story retold. Thank goodness it has not been lost! While richly told with regards to the Red Caps, this is as much a history of black America, so I learned a lot. Highly recommended for history buffs.
If you’re like me, I’m charmed by the history of New York’s Grand Central Station, so I was glad to have this very human story retold. Thank goodness it has not been lost! While richly told with regards to the Red Caps, this is as much a history of black America, so I learned a lot. Highly recommended for history buffs.
January 17, 2020
This book and its subject seemed fascinating. The introduction was engaging, but went downhill quickly. Some of the historical events about New York were interesting but not new in light of the Black experience in America. I thought the book was boring overall, I'll never get the time back.
February 16, 2021
Eric Washington has done a great job of researching the life of this important man who deserves our attention. Glad to see James Williams getting his due. And there is lots of interesting history of the African American community in NYC in general and in Harlem in particular.
December 21, 2022
Interesting information better for reviewing than straight reading. Some chapters are captivating others drone. The goal was to learn a few things and I did!
Mission accomplished. Times gone by … well researched.
Mission accomplished. Times gone by … well researched.
June 25, 2024
According to the book, even though racism Mr. James H. Williams had way of winning people's favoritism. Further, the author has included a who's-who of Africa Americans from the Harlem Renaissance. A good read on Black history.
February 20, 2025
Actually a less hyper specific biography than one might think. Broad in its historical focus and lacking in colorful anecdotes - but still an important element of NYC history.
April 27, 2020
I entered a Goodreads giveaway for (and won) this book because I really found the subject matter intrigued me as I love to learn previously unknown-to-me history. BUT I could not keep an interest in this book. Perhaps just not my preferred writing style as others obviously found it compelling. I found it more text book like and it failed to keep my interest.
August 10, 2020
A part of NYC transportation history I was not at all familiar with. (Definitely wish I'd had it when I was working on my own train history book project!) Around the turn of the century, nearly all of the "Red Cap" porters were Black. They helped passengers with their bags at Grand Central Station. Some earned tips. The story of this group of workers — as well as many other aspects of New York history — is told through the biography of James Henry Williams. This was an important era and location for the history of rail travel. The book covers a range of topics from organized labor to high society in the Black community. The setting is richly described and you can almost imagine yourself there.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews