Paul Laurence Dunbar June 27, 1872 in Daytona, Ohio Paul Laurence Dunbar was born to former slaves by the name of Joshua and Matilda Murphy Dunbar. (Wright State University ) They used their life experiences as slaves to instill the art of storytelling and to inspire the young Dunbar to aspire to greater things. Dunbar’s father told him what it was like to live as a slave. He especially shared the disappointment of being denied the opportunity to learn how to read and write. There were extremely harsh penalties if slaves were caught reading or even with a book in their possession. “With the help from Abolitionists Joshua was able to use the Underground Railroad and escape from slavery “(Shuman). Many slaves were fortunate to be able
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Dunbar’s goal was to attend college; however, there were not adequate monetary means available to pursue this goal. He secured a job as an elevator operator. This employment venture provided a large quantity of free time. This was a perfect opportunity for Dunbar to continue writing stories and poems. “In 1892,
Dunbar was invited to address the Western Association of Writers in Daytona , Ohio by his high school English professor, James Newton Matthew , arranged this speaking engagement (Shurman).Matthew wrote Dunbar a letter that was published in a newspaper that was reprinted all over the United States. James Riley read Matthew’s letter in the newspaper and reached out to Dunbar through a letter also . After receiving many letters of encouragement Dunbar, “From there Dunbar received all the inspiration to put his into a poem called Oak and Ivey in 1893 and sold many copies to people who rode his Elevator” …show more content…
After this brief employment he left to follow his passion to become a full time writer. Dunbar was stricken with health issues soon after started this endeavor. He developed pneumonia and tuberculosis. Even though Dunbar was suffering with tuberculosis he eloped with Alice Ruth Moore, a successful African American poet (Wright State Univerisity). When Dunbar attempted to treat tuberculous with alcohol it caused problems within his marriage within three years after dealing with her husband’s a Alcoholism his wife decided it was best if they went there separate ways
Dunbar’s goal was to attend college; however, there were not adequate monetary means available to pursue this goal. He secured a job as an elevator operator. This employment venture provided a large quantity of free time. This was a perfect opportunity for Dunbar to continue writing stories and poems. “In 1892,
Dunbar was invited to address the Western Association of Writers in Daytona , Ohio by his high school English professor, James Newton Matthew , arranged this speaking engagement (Shurman).Matthew wrote Dunbar a letter that was published in a newspaper that was reprinted all over the United States. James Riley read Matthew’s letter in the newspaper and reached out to Dunbar through a letter also . After receiving many letters of encouragement Dunbar, “From there Dunbar received all the inspiration to put his into a poem called Oak and Ivey in 1893 and sold many copies to people who rode his Elevator” …show more content…
After this brief employment he left to follow his passion to become a full time writer. Dunbar was stricken with health issues soon after started this endeavor. He developed pneumonia and tuberculosis. Even though Dunbar was suffering with tuberculosis he eloped with Alice Ruth Moore, a successful African American poet (Wright State Univerisity). When Dunbar attempted to treat tuberculous with alcohol it caused problems within his marriage within three years after dealing with her husband’s a Alcoholism his wife decided it was best if they went there separate ways