Claude McKay, a poet of international reputation, enjoys the honor of being one of the first Colored writers to be made an associate editor on the staff of a white national magazine—The Liberator, which is published in New York City. Mr. McKay has for several years been writing poetry for many of the leading magazines in Europe as well as for Colored and white periodicals in America. His book, “Spring in New Hampshire and Other Poems” has brought forth high literary comment from verse critics in both countries.
“Miscellaneous Poems” and “Sketches of Southern Life” are two titles covering some of the verses produced by the poetess, Frances E. Harper, who also wrote first quality prose. Jas. E. McGirth wrote “Some Simple Songs” and other verse matter that has stood the test of the best critics.
The late J. D. Corrothers gained much distinction as a prose and verse writer and for several years his poems appeared in some of the leading white magazines. George R. Margeston’s book of poems “Songs of Life” has brought forth much favorable comment, and stamped him as a poet who is fast forging to the front.
All verse critics who regularly read the close-to-nature, true-to-life, heart-to-heart and cheerful little poems that weekly head the editorial pages of the Chicago Defender, join in acclaiming Alfred Anderson the Edgar A. Guest “Sunshine Poet” of the Negro Race. A few of the many other Colored verse writers whose poems frequently appear in leading magazines are Carrie C. Clifford, Sergt. Allen R. Griggs, Jr., Thos. M. Henry, Sarah C. Fernandas, Leslie P. Hill, Roscoe Jamison, Chas. Bertram Johnson, Winifred Virginia Jordan, Will Sexton and Lucian B. Watkins, the last named writer being considered among the foremost writers the race has produced during the past few years.
AMONG THE ARTISTS
The Artist.
In everything, real artists see
Some good therein God made pretty:
Such finds they gladly then set free
So all can share the new beauty.
—Harrison.
According to page 331 of the 1918-1919 edition of Work’s Negro Year Book, “Bannister, E. M., of Providence, Rhode Island, was one of the first Negroes in America to achieve distinction as a painter. He was the founder of the Providence Art Club, which is to-day the leading art organization in Providence. “Its membership, mostly, if not wholly white, includes many of the leading citizens of the city and state.” One of Mr. Bannister’s pictures “Under the Oaks” was awarded a medal at the Centennial Exposition of 1876. The picture became the property of the Duffe Estate of New York City.”
Henry O. Tanner, born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and now living in Paris, France, is the greatest artist in the Negro race and among the best of all races. His early life along artistic lines was one of hard struggles, constant ambitions, unshaken determinations and final success, until today his works are known and treasured all over the world. His most successful paintings are those describing different incidents that are taught in the Bible. Among his many pictures that have won fame and fortunes for him are; “The Banjo Lesson”, “Christ Walking on the Sea”, “The Holy Family”, “Hills Near Jerusalem”, “Christ at the Home of Lazarus”, “Mary and Elizabeth” and “The Hiding of Moses.” Mr. Tanner is the son of Bishop B. T. Tanner.