The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-10
l,l00 BOOKS BY NEGROES.
Marvellous Growth of Negro Literature,
illustrated by Daniel Murray.

On the 2lst of January there appeared
IN The Post an article headed, Negroes
IS Authors" giving an analytical exhibit
OF the work Of Mr.. Daniel Murray, OF The
Library of Congress. in collecting books
and data for an exhibit and bibliograUhv
the whole to be a part of the United States
exhibit at Paris. The following from the
Daily Record, published in the interest
OF the negro race, is aprOpos:
Much interest is centered in the efforts
OF Mir. Daniel Murray to secure a com
plete list Of the books and pamphlets by
negro authors TO be used as a part OF
the negro exhibit at the Paris exposition.
Mr.. Murray has been singularly fortunate
In making a grand collection. Referring
10 Mr.. Richard Henry Stoddard's criti-
c'sm recently in the New York Mail and
Express. Mr.. Murray writes Mr.. Stoddard
as follows:
Library Of COngres
Washington, y. c, March % 1900
Mr. Richard Henry Stoedard, New York.
NV Dear Sir: Referring to an article which ap-
pei-ed in the Nail and Express TO which nv atte3-
ton has been called by The editor Of the Tuskesee
Student, desire TO say. In the remarks made anent
Chesnutt's 'COniUTe Woman" that there is no such
thing as negro literature, and thai the negro has
IufllShed literature rather than found it, In th s
connection ] send you herewith q copy Of a ''Pre-
lim.pary List Of Books and Pamphlets by Negre
Authors" sent out TO solicit additions the whole
10 form 4 part OF the negro exA!b!t' at the Paris
Opposition. The written list was compiled in less
than two weeks, mainly from memory, and with
such assistance could be gathered by conyersat on
With friends heTczb0ut. Since the publication Of
the within list I have pursued with some diligence
my search and inquiry in regard to whzt the Eegrs
has dOae in the field az literature; a field where
hitherto he has been regarded 8 stranger. To
many the preliminary list, With its 20 titles, EsS
great surprise but what feelings OF wonder must
Identified fully 100 titles % books and pamphlets
BY negro authors. many o. them eZaIb.ting excel
lence in literary ser sc OF the highest order As
YOU were the responsible editor Of a ''CyClOpetia
Of American Literature Il feel certain you will sp-
preciats the motive TIA. has prompted 10 seG3
you this information. II another eliJiOa OF yULr
excellent work is contemplated, this Information
must De the greatest benefit. since 'yyclop-dia
Cf American Literature that omitted 10 notice -
large a number OF American books as are described
in the bibli0gTaphy prepared By ne cannot Jusu,
Law claim to completion. send you a clipping from
re Harrisburg Telegram Of February g. 1909.
could send YOU MANY more The Washington Post
OF January p has a column article. The Caicags
papers and the press generally
/ shall be greatly indebted II YOU will 20 Il
that the tersry world IS informed 70 the end thar
the negro may have justly accorded HIN all that "a
rlgLtfuIy his due.
/ nav add hat the classification Of the eleys,
hundred titles mentioned above is nov being matI
uD In the catalogue department o. the Library Of
Congress b. direction o. Mr. Herbert Putnam
Librarian A tihllosraphy ls also beiag prepared
he whole 20 De exhibited az Paris.
Z feel certain this Information will be welcomed
by you and / feel glad in being Gbe 70 give o..
VERY tra!y, yours, DANIEL MURRAY.