African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Olaudah Equiano
This site from the African American Literature Book Club provides a great narrative on the life of Olaudah Equinao entitled, "They Carry Off As Many As they Can Seize." The text is somewhat in-depth and worth checking out on the subject.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Dorothy West
This biography of Harlem Renaissance writer Dorothy West includes a video [2:42] of West in New York and links to book reviews for all of West's works.
Library of Congress
Loc: From Slavery to Freedom: African American Pamphlets, 1822 1909
A collection of historical, primary documents in the form of pamphlets written by African Americans from 1822-1909. Curriculum connections included.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: James Baldwin
James Baldwin is presented in this biography as a great African American contributor to the literary world during the civil rights movement. See "James Baldwin Activities" for more information.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Becoming Visible: Gwendolyn Brooks
Writer Gwendolyn Brooks is presented in this biography for her contributions to African American literature. Click on "Gwendolyn Brooks Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: John Henrik Clarke
This site focuses on the historian John Henrik Clarke including a biography, the full video of "John Henrik Clarke: A Great and Mighty Walk" [134:00], and links to ten of his books.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
This is a succinct biography of Claude McKay, infamous Harlem Renaissance poet who expressed the need for the African American community in America to speak out against racism. See "Claude McKay Activities" for related materials.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Mirandy and Brother Wind by Mc Kissack
Mirandy and Brother Wind by Patricia C. McKissack is a Caldecott Honor Book, based on the cakewalk, a once popular dance in the African-American culture. This site contains a review of the book.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Jean Toomer
This is a brief biography of Jean Toomer, an African American author of poetry and short stories, published in many magazines in the early twentieth century. Click on "Jean Toomer Activities" for related materials.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Black Press
Selections from a black newspaper, "The Colored American, "from 1837-1838 that detail the numerous issues and agendas confronting enslaved and free blacks.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay's Life
A concise and in-depth biography of the American poet known as Claude McKay (1890-1948 CE). McKay was one of the key members of The Harlem Renaissance Movement.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Ralph Ellison
This site offers a biography with a photo of Ellison and a video entitled "The Novel: Ralph Ellison on Work in Progress 1966" [28:56]. It also has links to seven of his books.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Modern American Poetry: Claude Mc Kay
A biography and analysis of the life of the famous author, as well as literary criticism as well as online poems, letters and a bibliography. Includes many quotes and his poetry.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: Harlem Renaissance and the Flowering of Creativity
A description of the African-American literary and musical boom known as the Harlem Renaissance after World War I and before World War II. Profiles some of the prominent figures involved in the movement.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: The Search for Identity: Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison is featured for her ability to illustrate the idiocies of racial stereotyping through her award winning literature. See "Toni Morrison Activities" for related materials.
Indiana University
Iu: Literature as Lessons on the Diversity of Culture
Very scholarly article that looks at the role literature helps teach us about the diversity of our culture. The author looks at various aspects of literature and then gives teacher resources and a helpful bibliography.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University: Sterling A. Brown (1901 1989)
Resource includes theme, perspective, form, style and audience of this famous Harlem Renaissance author's work.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University: Anne Spencer (1882 1975)
Includes theme, perspective, form, style and comparison of Anne Spencer's work. Many contemporaries are named and linked.
Other
Vanderbilt.edu."the the Black Female & Renaissannce Rena
Highly detailed article concerning this famous era. Historical significance is addressed and a well-written analysis of many authors.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Mosaic: Conflict of Abolition and Slavery
Historical documents trace how the abolitionists virulently decried slavery and denounced those who supported it.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Southern Renaissance: Richard Wright
Author Richard Wright is presented in this biography which draws upon his brutal honesty in describing life in the racially segregated south. See "Richard Wright Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Library of Congress
Loc: Collections, Guides and Bibliographies: Web Guides
This series of web guides serves as a collection of resources for research into a variety of areas including the performing arts, sports, government, law, art, American history, Women's history, African American history, literature and...
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Richard Wright
This site focuses on Richard Wright including a short biography, the video [9:19] "The Life and Times of Richard Wright (1 of 2)" and links to 22 of his books.