Published in 1915 by the noted scholar and civil rights activist W. E. B. Du Bois,

has been recognized as an influential historical work of the early twentieth century. It presents an overview of the development of civilization and culture in Africa, the rise and fall of the Atlantic slave trade, the institutions of slavery in the Western Hemisphere, and the social conditions and future prospects of African Americans. Intending the book for a general audience, Du Bois appended “Suggestions for Further Reading” at the end of the text to enhance the work’s educational use.

Throughout The Negro Du Bois directly challenges many prevailing White supremacist ideas. Indeed the early 1900s were filled with numerous works lauding the alleged superiority of Whites—particularly

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Citation: Williams, Robert W.. "The Negro". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 10 October 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=64, accessed 27 November 2024.]

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