The collection contains three letters and a brochure about Dunbar's house in Dayton. He writes to Mayor Pond while working at the Library of Congress, 5 May 1898, about the success of his book of short stories [Folks from Dixie] and novel [The uncalled]; TLS to Miss Grace S. Sisson, Potsdam, N.Y., 14 June 1901, noting his illness and travels from Chicago to Richmond, and attaching a list of folklore books to help in her studies; TLS to Edward H. Hackley, Philadelphia, Pa., 23 November 1904, acknowledging his suggestion to go to Denver for his health and joking about fishing. Also, contains a six-page folded leaflet, "Paul Laurence Dunbar House, " containing biographical information and photos of the house and Dunbar, by the Ohio Historical Society.
In Rare Books and Manuscripts, University Libraries, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa. (#1998-0382R/VF Lit)
Source of Acquisition:
Purchased from David J. Holmes, 1998.
Administrative History:
Paul Laurence Dunbar of Dayton, Ohio, was an African-American writer of fiction, poetry, and plays. Dunbar is widely acknowledged as the first important black poet in American literature. He also worked at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C, as an assistant clerk, 1897-1898.
