Early Life
Dunbar was born in Dayton on June 27, 1872, to two freed slaves from Kentucky. His parents separated shortly after his birth. In his writing, he drew on their experiences of plantation life he heard about growing up.
He published poems in the Dayton Herald by age 14. While he was in high school, he edited a black newspaper, Dayton Tattler, which was published by his classmate, Orville Wright.
Due to the lack of funds, Dunbar was unable to go to college despite being a bright student. Instead, he worked as an elevator operator.
A former teacher reached out to Dunbar in 1892 and invited him to read his poems at a Western Association of Writers meeting. In attendance was James Whitcomb Riley, who was so moved by the young poet he wrote him a letter of encouragement.
Career
In 1893, Dunbar self-published his collection called Oak and Ivy and sold the book for $1. He was 21 years old.
That same year, Dunbar moved to Chicago to seek out work at the World’s Fair. While there he became friends with Frederick Douglass, who offered him a job as a clerk and arranged to read his poems.
>>> Dunbar viewed as a man for the ages
In 1895, Dunbar's career skyrocketed. His poems were beginning to be published in national magazines and newspapers such as the New York Times. He also published his second collection of poems, Majors and Minors, that same year.
Dunbar gained national and international recognition by the year 1897. He traveled on a six-month reading tour across England. During this time, he published Lyrics of Lowly.
Preparation - 1895
>>> The works of Paul Laurence Dunbar
When he returned to the United States, he was offered a position at the Library of Congress and shortly thereafter married Alice Ruth Moore, a writer.
Dunbar worked and lived in Washington, D.C. for three years until his health declined. During this time he published a shorty story, a novel and two more collections of poems.
Declining Health
Dunbar was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1900. His doctor recommended he drink whiskey to mitigate the symptoms.
Shortly after the diagnosis he moved to Colorado because the dry cold air was considered by doctors to be favorable for TB patients. During this time, his wife left him, although they never divorced. Dunbar turned to alcohol, which further damaged his health.
>>> TIMELINE: The life of Paul Laurence Dunbar
In 1904, Dunbar returned to Dayton to be with his mother. On Feb. 9, 1906, he died at the age of 33.
According to the Department of Demography at Berkley the average life expectancy in 1906 was 46.9 years for males.
About the Author