Paul Lawrence Dunbar

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  Paul Laurence Dunbar was an American poet, novelist, and playwright born in Dayton, Ohio in 1872. Dunbar began to write stories and verse when still a child. He was the only African-American student at Dayton’s Central High School and became president the literary society, edited the school newspaper, and member of the debate club. Dunbar was also a classmate and lifelong friend of Orville Wright. Dunbar often helped Orville with literature assignments, while Orville helped Dunbar through math classes.

  During the years the Wrights were involved in the publishing business, Dunbar edited the Wright’s newspapers, and with their help, went on to publish a book of poetry called Oak and Ivy that received national attention.

  In later years, Dunbar went on to write novels and lyrics for In Dahomey the first musical comedy written and performed entirely by African Americans. It was produced on Broadway and successfully toured England and the United States for four years.

  Tragically, in 1900 he was diagnosed with tuberculosis, then often fatal, and was advised by his doctors to drink whisky to alleviate his symptoms. Depression and declining health drove him to dependence on alcohol, and further damaged his health. He died alone and penniless in Dayton on February 6^th, 1906.

  Upon hearing the sad news, the Wrights stepped in to pay for the funeral and make the arrangements for his final resting place. Orville and Wilbur wanted Dunbar to be buried in the same section as Wright family plot but was politely told that Woodlawn Cemetery didn’t allow ‘the colored’ to be buried next to white folks.

  At the time, congress and the ‘monument builders’ of Washington had appropriated funds and had grand plans to build a great monument and tomb for the Wright family, a place of honor befitting the founders of modern aviation.  

  Orville and Wilbur told Woodlawn officials that if that if Dunbar couldn’t be interred in their section, they would move the family plot to Washington, DC. Woodlawn quickly relented when faced with the prospect of losing their celebrities.

   Today, there is no grand mausoleum and monument to the Wrights at Woodlawn. The Wrights’ family plot is hard to find because it is marked only with a modest headstone flanked with short flag poles and small markers on the ground for each member of the Wright family, and nearby; the final resting place of Paul Lawrence Dunbar.