Arna Wendell Bontemps had enough careers and accomplishments for several people. He was born in Louisiana, but was educated to the baccalaureate level in California and completed a graduate degree in Chicago. He served as teacher, administrator, librarian, and visiting professor in private schools, a government agency, colleges and universities respectively and published nearly three dozen books—including novels for adult and young readers; popular histories and biographies; short story, essay and poetry collections; and anthologies of poems and folklore. He participated in the New Negro Movement in literature from 1924-1931, became a leading figure in the Depression-era Black Chicago Writers’ literary movement and, beginning in 1943, served for over two decades as head librarian at Fisk University, where he continued to publish widely and promote the careers of other African American writers. Bontemps was awarded...
1913 words
Citation: Courage, Richard A.. "Arna Bontemps". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 August 2013 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=481, accessed 15 December 2025.]
