Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Renowned African-American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar rose from a poor childhood in Dayton, Ohio to international acclaim as a writer and as an effective voice for equality and justice for African-Americans (Howard, Revell). He met and associated with other historical men such as Fredrick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and his Dayton neighbors Orville and Wilbur Wright (Harvard, Columbus). Dunbar's personal story, as well as his writings, are still an inspiration to all Americans (Poupard).

Dunbar was born June 27,1872 in Dayton, Ohio to Matilda and Joshua Dunbar, former slaves from Kentucky (Van Doren 296, Columbus). Their family was extremely poor because Joshua was not able to get a job. Racism was still strong in Ohio even though slavery was against the law at the time. To help their parents, Paul and his two half-brothers did chores like gathering firewood, raking leaves, and cutting grass (Howard). Matilda always provided inspiration to her children by reading to, supporting, and encouraging them to be creative. She loved storytelling, songs, and poetry. This affected Paul throughout his life, and it was she who instilled in him the "desire to achieve" (Columbus). Dunbar's parents separated in 1874, after having two children. In spite of this, Paul was still able to achieve. He wrote his first poem at age six and recited publicly at age nine (Howard). His first public reading was on his birthday in 1892. After Joshua left, Matilda was forced to work in Dayton as a washerwoman to support her family (Columbus). Joshua died when Paul was just twelve years old (Poupard). The death of Joshua only strengthened the bond between Paul and his mother (Revell).

Dunbar was very popular amo...

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...urence Dunbar" http://www.udayton.edu/~dunbar/biopld.htm (1/30/98)

G & C Merriam Co. Websters Biographical Dictionary. Springfield, MA: G & C Merriam Company Publishers, 1966. 450

Howard, Connie Jean. "Paul Laurence Dunbar." http://www.coax.net/people/lwf/dunbar.htm (9 May 1999)

Howells, W.D. The complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1968

O'Neill, John. The McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of World Biography. Vol. 3. St. Louis, MO: McGraw-Hill Inc. , 1973. 473

Poupard, Dennis (ed.). Twentieth Century Literary Criticism. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company, 1984.

Revell, Peter. Paul Laurence Dunbar. Boston, Mass: Twayne Publishers, 1979

Van Doren, Charles. Websters American Biographies. Springfield, MA: G & C Merriam Company Publishers,1979. 296