Notable African American Authors

In American literature, many of our most notable authors, playwrights, and poets are African Americans. African American authors have, among other notable achievements, won Pulitzer prizes, represented the U.S. as poet laureate, and been honored with the Nobel Prize. Here is just a small list of notable African American authors.

Early African American Writers

Phyllis Wheatley (poet)
Wheatley, born in Africa, is largely considered the first African-American professional writer. She was a slave in Boston. Her poetry including a published book, gained her acclaim and eventual freedom as well as some income.

Ida B. Wells (journalist)
Wells, an strong crusader against racial injustice and “lynch law” wrote and edited newspapers, like The Free Speech and pamphlets and books such as Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases. She was also a founding member of the NAACP.

Paul Laurence Dunbar
The most popular African American poet of his day, also a fiction writer and playwright. Dunbar won appreciation from Black and White audiences in the 1890s. His work includes the poetry collection Oak & Ivy and Lyrics of A Lowly Life.

Frances E.W. Harper
Harper, a free black woman born in Maryland, was a published short story writer and poet. Her most notable poems dealt with slave motifs including “Slave Mother” “Slave Auction” and “Bury Me In A Free Land.” All were published before 1901. She was also one of the first African American female novelists.

Modern Era Writers

James Weldon Johnson
Johnson, who wrote, among other things “Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing”, was also an editor and dramatist who promoted African American literature and culture leading up to the Harlem Renaissance. His work a sermon anthology God’s Trombones.