Lorenz Graham was the first significant African-Amercan author to write books for and about children and their universal experiences, regardless of race or ethnicity. Graham's early works were drawn from his experiences as a missionary in Liberia. He retold beloved Bible stories using the lyrical idioms of West Africa, and he followed a young boy

Graham also wrote about racial strugles in the South through the eyes and life of an African-American boy in his Town series of books.

Graham's major novels, known as the Town Series, chronicled the life of an African American youth, David Williams. The series relates David's journey from adolescence to adulthood and his experiences of racism in the South and North, while realizing his dream of becoming a doctor.  Graham's sensitive portrayal of his characters, showing how they led everyday lives, made him a pioneer in his field and earned him the title, "Dean of African American Literature."  Before Graham, few books provided a clear and poignant view into the lives of African American teenagers.

Lorenz Graham was born in 1902 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of a Methodist minister. His childhood years were spent in many parts of the country, including Tennessee, Indiana, and Washington State. Graham decided to become a teacher during his junior year at UCLA, when he gave up his studies and moved to West Africa to teach at Monrovia College, a boys' mission school located in Liberia. This experience showed Graham that mainstream ideas about Africa were stereotypical and that few books existed describing Africans realistically. This realization spurred Graham to become a writer.

He wrote about Africa and the experiences of African American youth, emphasizing that while environments differ, whether in the African interior, the urban ghetto, or suburbia, people are people. His "people are people"  theme was tied to his religious and moral convictions that all people are entitled to equal treatment.

His first books, How God Fix Jonah and Tales of Momolu were based on Africa. His sister, Shirley Graham, had a profound influence on his life as a writer.  W.E.B. Du Bois, who later married Shirley, wrote the foreword for How God Fix Jonah in its original 1946 publication.

Later works known as the Town Series, which won him several awards, chronicled the life of an African American youth. The series relates David Williams' journey from adolescence to adulthood and his experiences of racism in the South and North, while realizing his dream of becoming a doctor.  These novels spoke to the experiences of many Blacks in America.  Graham's sensitive portrayal of his characters, showing how they led everyday lives, made him a pioneer in his field and earned him the title, "Dean of African American Literature."  Before Graham, few books These award-winning novels spoke to the experiences of many Blacks in America. 

When Graham returned to the U.S. from Africa, the Harlem Renaissance was in full swing.  He lived in New York City for a time.  In 1929 he married Ruth Morris, also a returned missionary, whom he had met while in Liberia.  The Grahams settled in Richmond, Virginia, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Social Studies at Virginia Union University. He later did graduate work at New York University and UCLA. Ruth Graham also authored several children's books and stories, including The Happy Sound and Penny Savings Bank, the story of Maggie L. Walker. The Grahams had five children and shared a log and happy union.

Over the decades, Graham worked as teacher, social worker, writer, and probation officer. The Grahams were active in civic life and contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. They were worldwide travelers who were honored in many foreign countries for their humanitarian efforts and commitment to peace. Lorenz Graham received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Virginia Union University in 1983. He died in 1989 leaving a profound literary legacy. His books are being revived for young readers today, providing a compelling  perspective on the issues of racial and social justice