Henry Dumas

Poet

Birthday July 20, 1934

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Arkansas

DEATH DATE May 23, 1968 (33)

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About

African-American, jazz-influenced poet and author whose works include Ark of Bones and Play Ebony, Play Ivory. He was associated with the Black Aesthetic movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

Before Fame

He briefly attended Rutgers University and subsequently joined the U.S. Air Force.

Trivia

He was an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement. Tragically, he was shot to death in 1968 by a white police officer.

Family Life

With his wife Loretta Ponton, he had two children.

Associated With

He was a contemporary of fellow African-American author Toni Morrison.