The Charles Chesnutt Archive: Charles Chesnutt and the Black Community who Aided Him

Authors

Bianca Swift, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Bianca SwiftFollow

Date of this Version

4-2020

Document Type

Poster

Citation

Poster presentation, UCARE Research Symposium, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Spring 2020.

Comments

Copyright 2020 by the authors.

Abstract

A pioneer of African American literature and the first to reach a national audience with his writings, Chesnutt wrote nine novels, eighty-five short stories, and more than seventy essays and speeches. As a prolific writer Chesnutt often interacted with other black intellectuals and academics including; W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Walter F. White, and Kelly Miller. This poster makes the argument that his connections to these figures aided him in his writings and his presence in history. As well as comparing his standing in history as a black person speaking about race to the 21st century view through poetry.