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

Books by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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”

Teaching resources

Literary Birthday Celebration: Paul Laurence Dunbar event video

Library blog posts

Related resources