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Biography
of Dr. Lorenz Graham
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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. |
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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
provided a clear and poignant view into the lives of African American
teenagers.
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
long 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.
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Partial
List of Dr. Graham's Books
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