Paul Laurence Dunbar
Renown Poet, Writer and Publisher
1872-1906
- Born on June 27, 1872 in Dayton, Ohio to Joshua and Matlida Murphy Dunbar.
- Paul's father was an enslaved African who escaped to Canada to find freedom, but returned to the United States to fight against slavery as a soldier in the Union Army.
- Paul's father died when Paul was 12 years old, but his mother continued to teach and encourage Paul to read and write.
- Dunbar read and wrote poetry constantly. His poetry often reflected his Mother's struggles from when she was enslaved in the South.
- He was elected President of the Central High School Literary Society. Paul also became the editor of the school newspaper, even though he was the only Black student in his class.
- lacking funds to attend college, Dunbar took a job as an elevator operator after graduating from high school in 1891.
- Dunbar sent many of his poems to newspapers and magazines, but most refused to publish them.
- In 1893, Dunbar borrowed $125 from a white friend and published his poems in a book he titled "Oak and Ivy."
- Dunbar published a second book of poems in 1895 called "Majors and Minors," and a very successful third book of poetry titled "Lyrics of Lowly Life" in 1896.
- Paul L. Dunbar worked for the Library of Congress for a short while, but continued writing on an aggressive pace.
- In 1898, Dunbar published his first novel, titled "The Uncalled," about a young man in search of his identity while confronting the lack of Christianity in many of the Churches of Christian faith.
- Also, in 1898, he married Alice Ruth Moore, who was also a poet; they lived in Washington, DC.
- Paul L. Dunbar traveled throughout the South teaching children of all races how to write poetry.
- Dunbar wrote an traveled on a feverish non-stop pace and produced three collections of short stories and novel in 10 years. It is believed that his hectic pace and workload weakened him and deteriorated his health.
- Paul L. Dunbar died of pneumonia at this mother's home in Dayton, Ohio on February 6, 1906.
- Paul L. Dunbar is commemorated throughout the South, Midwest and East in American education by having many public named in his honor.