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

John Wesley Cromwell

1846–1927

Born into slavery in Virginia and freed as a child, he built a remarkable life as a teacher, lawyer, journalist, historian, and civil rights advocate in Washington, D.C. His work helped preserve Black history while pushing for fuller citizenship and equality in his own time.

Lafayette M. Hershaw

1863–1945

A sharp Black intellectual of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he moved between journalism, law, and public service while writing forcefully about race, labor, and civil rights. His work offers a clear window into the debates that shaped African American political life in his era.

William Pickens

1881–1954

A gifted speaker and fearless public voice, this writer turned personal experience into sharp, memorable books about Black life and freedom in America. His work as an educator, journalist, and civil rights leader helped carry those ideas far beyond the page.

Arthur Alfonso Schomburg

1874–1938

A tireless collector and historian, he devoted his life to preserving the history and achievements of people of African descent. His work helped lay the foundation for what became one of the world’s best-known research centers for Black 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.