Black Past
Black Past: Grimke, Angelina Weld
This encyclopedia article gives a brief accounting of Angelina Weld Grimke's life and her writings.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Discovering a Passion for Poetry W/ Langston Hughes
After analyzing examples of contemporary youth poetry as well as the poetry of Langston Hughes, students will use the Internet to conduct research on how events in the world have shaped Hughes' work. They will cite specific examples that...
Library of Congress
Loc: Paul Laurence Dunbar: Online Resources
"The digital collections of the Library of Congress contain a wide variety of material associated with Paul Laurence Dunbar, including manuscripts, photographs, and books." This resource tool gathers links to digital materials available...
University of South Florida
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Lit2 Go: James Weldon Johnson
The complete text of James Weldon Johnson's novel, "The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man," and his lyrics, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." The texts can be read online or downloaded by individual chapters in MP3 format. In addition, each...
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: Maya Angelou
A well-written biography of Maya Angelou. Includes a profile, interview and photo gallery. In the interview, she talks at length about her friendship with Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he was like as a person.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Jean Toomer
Learn interesting facts about Jean Toomer, African-American poet and novelist.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Margaret Walker
This is a site devoted to the life and times of the African American poet Margaret Walker. Among the numerous links found on the page are links to full texts of 16 poems, questions from an audience, a panel's discussion of her poetry, a...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Anne Spencer
Learn about the life and works of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer who lived her entire life in Virginia and fought for equal rights for African Americans.
Cengage Learning
Studying Francis Ellen Watkins Harper
This Houghton Mifflin site prepared by Elizabeth Ammons is a study site about Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, the 19th century African American author.
University at Buffalo
University at Buffalo: Derek Walcott
This site, created by a University of Buffalo math professor with a deep interest in African American and Caribbean writing, gives four poems by Walcott an audio of him speaking, and a biography and bibliography.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Langston Hughes
This introduction to the life and writing of Langston Hughes profiles the poet who emerged with the Harlem Renaissance to earn "a place amongst the greatest poets America has ever produced."
Other
Women in History: Phillis Wheatley
This fact sheet provides dates and details about the life and work of the poet Phillis Wheatley.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Margaret Walker
Biographical details on Margaret Walker, an American novelist and poet who was one of the leading black woman writers of the mid-20th century.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Aime Cesaire
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Aime Cesaire, a Martinican poet, playwright, and politician, who was cofounder with Leopold Sedar Senghor of Negritude, an influential movement to restore the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Guide to Black History: Dennis Brutus
This entry from Encyclopedia Brittanica's Guide to Black History features Dennis Brutus, a poet whose works centre on his sufferings and those of his fellow blacks in South Africa. This site, rich in detail and breadth of coverage,...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sonia Sanchez
Biographical details on American poet, playwright, and educator, Sonia Sanchez, who was noted for her black activism.
African American Literature Book Club
African American Literature Book Club: Arna Bontemps
A brief biography and a list of the works written by Harlem Renaissance author, Arna Bontemps.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Understanding Poetry of Maya Angelou Through Rap Lyric
By examining the lives and lyrics of popular, positive black female rappers such as Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill, students can trace a direct line back to the inspirational writer and poet, Maya Angelou. Rap lyrics will help explicate...
National Women’s History Museum
National Women's History Museum: Phillis Wheatley
Despite spending much of her life enslaved, Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a book of poems.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Paul Laurence Dunbar
This Web English Teacher site compiled links to learn more about Paul Laurence Dunbar's work. Explore this informative resource to learn more about his poetry and life.
PBS
Pbs: Literature & Life: Choice of Weapons
It is hard to categorize Gordon Park, Sr., because he excelled in so many areas. He was well known for his writing, his photojournalism and in film. He also composed music. Listen here to an interview with Gordon Parks, Sr., and to...
Other
Beltway Poetry Quarterly: Georgia Douglas Johnson
A detailed biography of Georgia Douglas Johnson. With selected works including the poem "YOUR WORLD" and a list of other suggested readings.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Langston Hughes
A concise window into the world of Langston Hughes. He used his own life experiences to write poetry. Photographs help to engage the reader.