Chesnutt, Charles W. (Charles Waddell), 1858-1932

Charles Waddell Chesnutt was America's first important African-American author, and earned a reputation for both his socially conscious work and his literary innovation. Born in Cleveland to free black parents, he was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and travelled throughout the south, as well as New York and Washington, D.C., before settling in Cleveland with his wife. He had worked as a teacher, and in Cleveland started a successful stenography business, learned law, and passed the bar exam. Chesnutt published numerous short stories and articles, and eventually wrote several novels, including The Conjure Woman (1899). He sought to entertain and educate, and his themes of racial prejudice and miscegnation led to critical appreciation of his work.

From the description of Charles Waddell Chesnutt letters, 1899-1900. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 106473406

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