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Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar (June 27, 1872 – February 9, 1906) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Dayton, Ohio, to parents who had been enslaved in Kentucky before the American Civil War, Dunbar began writing stories and verse when he was a child. He published his first poems at the age of 16 in a Dayton newspaper, and served as president of his high school's literary society.

Dunbar's popularity increased rapidly after his work was praised by William Dean Howells, a leading editor associated with Harper's Weekly. Dunbar became one of the first African-American writers to establish an international reputation. In addition to his poems, short stories, and novels, he also wrote the lyrics for the musical comedy In Dahomey (1903), the first all-African-American musical produced on Broadway in New York. The musical later toured in the United States and the United Kingdom. Suffering from tuberculosis, which then had no cure, Dunbar died in Dayton, Ohio, at the age of 33.

Much of Dunbar's more popular work in his lifetime was written in the "Negro dialect" associated with the antebellum South, though he also used the Midwestern regional dialect of James Whitcomb Riley. Dunbar also wrote in conventional English in other poetry and novels and is considered the first important African American sonnet writer. Since the late 20th century, scholars have become more interested in these other works.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 1, 1872 (Dayton), Died February 9, 1906 (Dayton)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1899 - 1939

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, author

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 44 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Berliner 4296 7-in. Before Apr. 1899 Who dat say chicken in dis crowd? Imperial Quartet Male vocal quartet lyricist  
Berliner 0311 7-in. 7/7/1899 Who dat said chicken Len Spencer Male vocal solo lyricist  
Victor [Pre-matrix A-]1710 7-in. 10/25/1902 On Emancipation Day Vess L. Ossman ; Len Spencer Male vocal solo, with banjo lyricist  
Victor [Pre-matrix B-]1710 10-in. 10/25/1902 On Emancipation Day Vess L. Ossman ; Len Spencer Male vocal solo, with banjo lyricist  
Victor C-8456 12-in. 12/9/1909 When Malindy sings J. A. Myers Recitation author  
Victor B-8457 10-in. 12/9/1909 Banjo song J. A. Myers Recitation author  
Victor B-9928 10-in. 2/7/1911 The old tunes J. A. Myers Recitation author  
Victor B-9929 10-in. 2/7/1911 In the morning J. A. Myers Recitation author  
Victor B-10844 10-in. 7/31/1911 Down de Lovers' Lane Peerless Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-12046 10-in. 5/24/1912 The birth of morn Lucy Isabelle Marsh Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-12560 10-in. 11/4/1912 The birth of morn Frances Alda ; Victor Orchestra Soprano vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-12860 12-in. 1/30/1913 New Orleans Minstrels, no. 27 Victor Minstrel Company Minstrels, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-13771 12-in. 9/12/1913 When Malindy sings Homer A. Rodeheaver Recitation author  
Victor B-14219 10-in. 12/18/1913 Po' lil' lamb Gertrude Penfield Seiberling Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor C-14468 12-in. 2/17/1914 Spring song Cora Mel Patten Recitation author  
Victor B-14665 10-in. 4/6/1914 Who knows? John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with harp and orchestra lyricist  
Victor B-14724 10-in. 4/17/1914 Candle-lightin' time Christine Miller Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor C-14990 12-in. 6/23/1914 A voice for Santa Claus Cora Mel Patten Recitation author  
Victor C-15229 12-in. 9/30/1914 Miracle Paul R. Reese Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor BVE-32798 10-in. 7/27/1925 Li'l gal Paul Robeson Bass vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor CVE-33123 12-in. 8/3/1925 Thank God for a garden Charles Hunsberger Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor CS-83673 12-in. 8/2/1934 The birth of morn Bessie Whiteside Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Victor [Trial 1913-04-12-02] Not documented 4/12/1913 Who knows Mrs. Addison Recitation author  
Victor [Trial 1913-12-17-01] Not documented 12/17/1913 Po' lil' lamb Gertrude Penfield Seiberling Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Columbia 947 7-in. ca. 1902-Oct. 1905 My little Gypsy maid J. W. Myers Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
(Results 1-25 of 44 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dunbar, Paul Laurence," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102275.

Dunbar, Paul Laurence. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102275.

"Dunbar, Paul Laurence." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/102275

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