Today in History: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Today in History–June 27–the Library of Congress features the multifaceted artist Paul Laurence Dunbar, born on this day in 1872. Dunbar produced a lot in his short life–he died at age 33–achieving international acclaim as a poet, short story writer, novelist, dramatist, and lyricist. Find out more by visiting the Today in History section, then follow the links below to access more resources related to Dunbar and to poetry.
Paul Laurence Dunbar image set
Paul Laurence Dunbar sheet music
Paul Laurence Dunbar songs audio recordings
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Booker T. Washington January 23, 1902
“Dat Chrismus on de ol’ Plantation” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (poem, begins on page 7)
Afaa M. Weaver reads Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “Little Brown Baby”
Poems published in The Century; a popular quarterly
- “Negro Love-Song” Volume 49, Issue 6, Apr 1895
- “Curtain” Volume 50, Issue 1, May 1895
- “The Dilettante” Volume 50, Issue 3, Jul 1895
- “Discovered” Volume 52, Issue 2, Jun 1896
- “Protest” Volume 53, Issue 1, Nov 1896
- “Parted” Volume 53, Issue 2, Dec 1896
- “On the Road” Volume 53, Issue 6, Apr 1897
- “At Candle-Lightin’ Time” Volume 54, Issue 1, May 1897
- “Foolin’ Wif de Seasons” Volume 54, Issue 6, Oct 1897
- “Possum” Volume 55, Issue 5, Mar 1898
- “Hymn” Volume 56, Issue 5, Sep 1898
- “Lover’s Lane” Volume 56, Issue 6 Oct 1898
- “Harriet Beecher Stowe” Volume 57, Issue 1 Nov 1898
- “A Frolic” Volume 58, Issue 6 Oct 1899
Books by Paul Laurence Dunbar
- Li’l’ Gal 1904
- Howdy, Honey, Howdy 1905
- Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow 1905
Paul Laurence Dunbar, Poet Laureate of the Negro Race
More texts related to Paul Laurence Dunbar
Historical newspaper coverage of Paul Laurence Dunbar
Mary Church Terrell Papers: “Personal Recollections of Paul Laurence Dunbar”
The Caged Bird Sings: Paul Laurence Dunbar at the Library of Congress From the Catbird Seat June 27, 2013
Caged Bird Inspired by the Library of Congress Library of Congress Blog February 5, 2020
Literary Birthday Celebration: Paul Laurence Dunbar event video
Related resources