Paul Laurence Dunbar: Finding an Audience
Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton, Ohio, on June 27, 1872. His parents had both escaped enslavement in Kentucky before settling in the North. His mother, Matilda, loved stories and poetry. Although she had never received a formal education, she taught Paul the alphabet and encouraged him to read everything he could find. Paul showed a talent for words at an early age. By the time he was a student at Dayton’s Central High School, he was writing poems, serving as president of the school literary society, and editing the school newspaper.
Dunbar was the only African American student in his high school class. Despite his academic success and clear talent, he faced limited job options after graduating in 1891. Prejudices of the era kept him from working in law offices or local publishing houses. Instead, Dunbar found work operating an elevator in the Callahan Bank Building in downtown Dayton, earning four dollars a week. Between trips carrying passengers up and down, he kept a notebook and pencil in his pocket, composing verses whenever the cab was stationary.
- stationary:
- Remaining in one place; not moving.
- manuscript:
- An author's original written or typed copy of a text before it is published.
- credit:
- An arrangement allowing someone to receive goods or services before paying for them.
- dialect:
- A form of a language spoken in a specific region or by a particular social group.
- versatility:
- The ability to adapt or do many different things well.
- acclaim:
- Enthusiastic and public praise or approval.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What role did Paul Laurence Dunbar's mother play in his early education?
- 2What leadership roles did Dunbar hold while attending Dayton's Central High School?
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About this biography passage for 5th Grade
“Paul Laurence Dunbar: Finding an Audience” is a biography reading passage about Paul Laurence Dunbar, written for 5th Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (437 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.