Albert Prince (A.P.) Marshall, a notable figure in Black history, was born on September 5, 1914, in Texarkana, Texas. He was a respected librarian and academic, with a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He was the director of the Inman E. Page Library at Lincoln University and held positions in the Missouri Library Association and the American Library Association.
In the 1950s, Marshall was the President of the Missouri state NAACP. In 1969, he moved to Eastern Michigan University. There, he taught library science and was the director of the university’s library. He also served as the Dean of Academic Services until his retirement in 1980. He was involved in the Ypsilanti Rotary Club, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and the Ypsilanti-Willow Run Branch of the NAACP.
Marshall was a dedicated historian, focusing on Ypsilanti’s African-American community. His research highlighted important figures like Elijah McCoy and influenced Ypsilanti’s perception of its history.