Thomas Washington Talley

Born in Tennessee in 1870, Thomas Washington Talley was a poet, educator, and folklorist whose work brought lasting attention to African American folk traditions. He taught science at Black colleges and became known not only for his writing, but also for his interest in preserving the voices and humor of ordinary people.

Talley is best remembered for Negro Folk Rhymes: Wise and Otherwise (1922), an important early collection of secular Black folk songs and rhymes. At a time when much published attention focused on spirituals, his book helped document a broader range of everyday expression, including comic verses, play songs, and sharp social observations.

He died in 1952, but his legacy has continued through scholars, poets, and musicians who value the history he helped save. His writing remains notable for its energy, its ear for spoken language, and its role in preserving a rich part of American cultural life.