Papers of the American Negro Academy. (The American Negro Academy. Occasional Papers, No. 18-19.)

John Wesley Cromwell

1846–1927

Born into slavery and later rising to become a lawyer, teacher, journalist, and historian, this pioneering Black intellectual helped document African American history while fighting for civil rights. His life links the struggles of the 19th century to the organized activism and scholarship of the early 20th.

Lafayette M. Hershaw

1863–1945

A sharp voice in Black public life at the turn of the 20th century, this journalist and lawyer wrote forcefully about civil rights, labor injustice, and political power. His work links the worlds of activism, public service, and early African American intellectual history.

William Pickens

1881–1954

Born to formerly enslaved parents and rising from rural Arkansas to Yale, this gifted speaker became one of the best-known Black public intellectuals of his era. His life joined scholarship, journalism, and civil rights work in a way that still feels strikingly modern.

Arthur Alfonso Schomburg

1874–1938

A pioneering collector and historian, he devoted his life to preserving the stories, documents, and achievements of people of African descent. His work helped lay the foundation for one of the world’s most important centers for Black history and culture.

T. G. (Theophilus Gould) Steward

1843–1924

A pioneering Black chaplain, teacher, and writer, this remarkable 19th-century voice brought history, faith, and public life together in his work. His books reflect a lifelong commitment to education, racial uplift, and documenting African American service and achievement.