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Identifier

MSS114_B01F03_009

Creation Date

9-12-1894

Keywords

Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans

Description

Full text of letter:

(Page 1)

1522 “O” St. Washington D/C

12th Sept/ 94

Dear Mr Dunbar.

It is yr right & privilege to address me as you have. Every true black man, especially a man of genius & character, has t right to command my services.

I have been long working to write to you : but I am an old man, with great limitations. I have but one eye. My correspondence, for 3 quarters of t globe, runs far ahead of my powers; & my church duties have become a pressure too great for me any longer to endure.

(Page 2)

I must say, in all candor– but, remember [???]– privately, that I can’t give you very much encouragement in yr endeavor. There are local & wicked prejudices existing here wh [which?] I fear may bar yr success: but this shall not present my best endeavors in yr behalf. I will see Mr Cornish [possibly L.A. Cornish], & I will write to Mr Bruce, & urge yr fitness; in wh I have great confidence .

I am sorry that I must postpone my endeavors a day or two: as I leave town, this afternoon for a day or two.

(Page 3)

Have you a volume (published) of yr poems? If so send me a copy. & I will send you T price: or possibly you wd like an exchange for a copy of my last work — “Africa & America”

With regard & admiration,

Very Truly yrs.

Alex Crummell . –

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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.

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Keywords

Paul Laurence Dunbar, primary sources, Black history, Black poets, prominent Ohioans

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