Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872. Dunbar parents Joshua and Matilda Murphy Dunbar was freed slaves from Kentucky. Dunbar was one of the first African- American poets to gain national recognition. Dunbar is best known for his verse and short stories, many of which are written in black dialect. He was also one of the first black writers to attempt to make a living from his writing. (A&E Television Networks) (From the Archive: Poets’ Stamps) Shortly after Dunbar was born his parents split up. Dunbar took his parents stories of plantation life and uses it in his writing. Dunbar began showing his love for literature in high school in Dayton, Ohio. Being the only black in his class, he became class president and class poet. Two years
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He then realize being a young educated African American male, job opportunities were limited. While he realizes his funds starting to decr3ease, he was force to work as an elevator operator. He became known for his like of reading and writing during his free moments at work. He then became acquainted with The Century; his works featured some of the same familiar patterns of famous poets such as James Russell Lowell and James Whitcomb Riley. (Universal Libraries) A recommendation from one of his former teachers changed his whole career around. Dunbar was asked to speak at the convention of the Western Association of writers, which took place in Dayton 1892. Delivering an amazing poetic address, the audience was well pleased. His work was talked about in newspapers across the country. Most notably to recognize his work was Poet James Newton Matthews in one of his articles. (Universal Libraries) The attention and interest he saw people take in his work, encouraged him to self-publish his first book of poetry Oak and Ivy (1893). He sold his boom for $1 to people riding his elevator. He then made his investment of $125. A year later he attended the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. There he gains support of Civil Rights leader Frederick Douglass. Douglass provided Dunbar a job in the Haitian Pavilion at the fair. (Universal
He then realize being a young educated African American male, job opportunities were limited. While he realizes his funds starting to decr3ease, he was force to work as an elevator operator. He became known for his like of reading and writing during his free moments at work. He then became acquainted with The Century; his works featured some of the same familiar patterns of famous poets such as James Russell Lowell and James Whitcomb Riley. (Universal Libraries) A recommendation from one of his former teachers changed his whole career around. Dunbar was asked to speak at the convention of the Western Association of writers, which took place in Dayton 1892. Delivering an amazing poetic address, the audience was well pleased. His work was talked about in newspapers across the country. Most notably to recognize his work was Poet James Newton Matthews in one of his articles. (Universal Libraries) The attention and interest he saw people take in his work, encouraged him to self-publish his first book of poetry Oak and Ivy (1893). He sold his boom for $1 to people riding his elevator. He then made his investment of $125. A year later he attended the World’s Columbian Exhibition in Chicago. There he gains support of Civil Rights leader Frederick Douglass. Douglass provided Dunbar a job in the Haitian Pavilion at the fair. (Universal