Field of excellence
Literature
Poets, novelists, and essayists.
On the timeline
- August 25, 1746· debatedLucy Terry composes "Bars Fight"
The earliest known work of literature by an African American.
- 1853William Wells Brown publishes "Clotel"
The first novel published by an African American.
- March 1940Richard Wright's "Native Son"
A searing bestseller reshapes American literature on race.
- 1969Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Angelou's memoir becomes a defining work of American letters.
- 1982Alice Walker's "The Color Purple"
Walker's novel wins the Pulitzer Prize the following year.
- May 18, 1993Rita Dove named US Poet Laureate
Dove becomes the first Black US Poet Laureate.