About the Author

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)-novelist, poet, lawyer, editor, ethno-musicologist-was also the co-author (with his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson) of the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing," widely accepted as the "Negro National Anthem."

Rudolph P. Byrd is professor of American studies and founding director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute at Emory University. His books include Charles Johnson's Novels- Writing the American Palimpsest.

Charles Johnson is the National Book Award-winning author of Middle Passage and Dreamer.