| Summary: | Barber and visual artists James Edward Guilford, Jr. was born on October 7, 1911 in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Boston public schools and completed his studies at the Boston Latin School in 1928. As a teenager, Guilford worked in barbershops after school and during the summers. He opened and managed his own shop, Dunbar Barbers, from 1934 to 1942. Guilford served three years in the military during World War II. After service, Guilford returned to open another barbershop, Jimmy Guilford's Hairstyling Salon. He catered to all classes, especially Boston's black elite. Guilford's clients included Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Jackie Robinson, Duke Ellington and Sugar Ray Robinson. In 1962, Guilford served as president of the Associated Master Barbers of Massachusetts, becoming the first African American elected to this position. As a professional visual artist, Guilford also received recognition. Guilford passed away on December 16, 2015 at age 104.
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