Paul Laurence Dunbar Collection

Synopsis

Paul Laurence Dunbar was the first African-American to gain national eminence as a poet. Born in 1872 in Dayton, Ohio, he was the son of ex-slaves and classmate to Orville Wright of aviation fame.  Although he lived to be only 33 years old, Dunbar was prolific, writing short stories, novels, librettos, plays, songs and essays as well as the poetry for which he became well known. He was popular with black and white readers of his day, and his works are celebrated today by scholars and school children alike. His style encompasses two distinct voices -- the standard English of the classical poet and the evocative dialect of the turn-of-the-century black community in America. The site includes readings of over 40 of his poems, read by Herbert Woodward Martin, for which the original text is also provided.

Language

English

Country

United States

Availability

http://www.plethoreum.org/dunbar/gallery.asp

Notes

A selection of Dunbar’s poetry, read by Herbert Woodward Martin, can be listeneed to via RealOne at this website: http://www.plethoreum.org/dunbar/gallery.asp

Subjects

Literature

Keywords

literature - American; poetry; Dunbar, Paul Laurence (1872-1906)

Online availability

URI

http://www.plethoreum.org/dunbar/gallery.asp

Delivery

Streamed