Paul Laurence Dunbar 
The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar 

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906) was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet during the turn of the 20th century. Born to ex-slave parents, Dunbar began writing at a very early age and had even published his first poems by the age of 16 in a local newspaper. Much of his work was written in the ’African-American Vernacular’ associated with the antebellum South, although he also employed conventional English in his novels and poems. Dunbar was among the first African-American writers to garner international acclaim for their work. This volume contains a complete collection of Dunbar’s powerful poetry, presented here in a brand new edition for the enjoyment of a new generation. A fantastic collection of powerful poetry that offers a unique glimpse into the lives of African Americans at the turn of the century. Highly recommended for those interested in African-American history and literature. Other notable works by this author include: ’Oak and Ivy’ (1892), ’Majors and Minors’ (1896), and ’Lyrics of Lowly Life’ (1896). Ragged Hand is proudly republishing this classic collection of poetry, complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.