Paul Laurence Dunbar
(Dayton)
The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1993) includes each book of poetry published by Dunbar, plus an additional 60 previously uncollected poems.
Born to emancipated slaves in 1872, Dunbar was a prolific author of poetry, short fiction, and novels, as well as a libretto and play. He was one of the most famous Black writers of his time, praised for his range and use of dialect in his writing.
Some of his best known works include “We Wear the Mask” (1895), a poem written from a collective perspective of Black Americans, and the tragic novel The Sport of the Gods (1902).
Along with his friends the Wright brothers, Dunbar’s importance is commemorated by the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.
He died in 1906.
If you enjoyed The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, we suggest these Ohio side trips: