Poet Paul Laurence Dunbar is born in Dayton, Ohio, to formerly enslaved parents.
At a Glance
- Date
- 27 June 1872
- Location
- Dayton, Ohio
- Key people
- Paul Laurence Dunbar
- Category
- Arts & Literature
- Source
- Collected poems · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
He became the first Black American poet to gain national prominence.
What It Means Now
His verse, including 'We Wear the Mask,' remains widely taught.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Paul Laurence Dunbar Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/paul-laurence-dunbar-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Paul Laurence Dunbar Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/paul-laurence-dunbar-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Paul Laurence Dunbar Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/paul-laurence-dunbar-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.