Preview
![image preview](https://ecommons.udayton.edu/ohc_dunbar/1140/preview.jpg)
Identifier
MSS114_B01F02_010
Creation Date
4-21-1893
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans
Description
Full text of enclosed letter (3 pages):
Paul L. Dunbar
Dayton Ohio – My Dear Sir:
On behalf of the members of the West End Club I wish to thank you for the pleasure afforded us on Wednesday evening by a rehearsal of some of your poems.
I have heard a number of comments from members present and all express themselves as not only greatly pleased with your composition and delivery but surprised that one of your years should produce such beautiful poems.
Those who purchased copies of “Oak and Ivy” express great pleasure and profit in reading the same.
I have for some time felt that since nature has endowed you with such gifts that you should have an opportunity of acquiring a thorough education so that you may be fitted for future work.
If you find that by your own efforts that you will not be able to enter college I will be one of the persons to loan you $50.00 per year during the time you may wish to spend in college. Think I can procure four others in Toledo to do the same and do not doubt but that there are five in Dayton who would be glad to join us. Let me know how you feel about such a plan.
If in the future you should wish to come to Toledo again by giving me due notice can make yours but ever more prosperous than was the first.
Trusting that you will continue your efforts and meet with the success which you merit
I remain
Very truly yours,
C.A. Thatcher
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Primary Item Type
Personal Correspondence
Rights
This item is part of the Paul Laurence Dunbar House collection at Ohio History Connection, Columbus, Ohio. The collection contains items from 219 N. Summit St., Dayton, Ohio (later 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St.), the home Dunbar purchased for his mother, Matilda J. Dunbar, in 1904. Paul Laurence Dunbar lived there until his death in 1906; Matilda lived there until her death in 1934. It is now the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site, part of the National Park Service.
Keywords
Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans