Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Documentary Portrait of an Early Civil Rights Pioneer, 1900-1959

The writings of Nannie Helen Burroughs, an educator, civil rights activist, and prominent figure in the African American community during the first half of the twentieth century, are collected in this volume. Burroughs was a celebrated African American female activist, educator, and intellectual, and this anthology captures her work as a theologian, philosopher, activist, educator, intellectual, and evangelist. It also highlights the ways in which her career resisted definition, and includes interactions with other African American historical icons. The book aims to spark a conversation about Burroughs' life and work by making her own tracts on God, sin, the intersections of church and society, black womanhood, education, and social justice available. It is an important piece of the movement to excavate African American intellectual and philosophical thought and reformulate the literary canon to bring a diverse array of voices to the table.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2022
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Nannie Helen Burroughs (1879-1961) was a remarkable African American educator, civil rights activist, and influential figure in the African American community during the first half of the 20th century. Despite her significant contributions, Burroughs' work has often been excluded from the literary canon. In her era, she was celebrated as an African American (or, in her words, a race woman) female activist, educator, and intellectual. This book represents a groundbreaking contribution to the African American intellectual historical project, offering readers a unique opportunity to experience Burroughs' words firsthand.

This anthology of her works, spanning from 1900 to 1959, encapsulates Burroughs' diverse career as a theologian, philosopher, activist, educator, intellectual, and evangelist. Burroughs' life intersected with notable African American historical figures such as W. E. B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, Anna Julia Cooper, Mary Church Terrell, and Mary McLeod Bethune, and her interactions with them have been extensively documented in the existing literature.

The primary aim of this book is to initiate a conversation about Burroughs' life and work by making her own tracts on God, sin, the intersections of church and society, black womanhood, education, and social justice readily accessible. Moreover, it serves as an important piece of the growing movement to excavate African American intellectual and philosophical thought and reformulate the literary canon to include a diverse range of voices.

By presenting Burroughs' writings in their original form, this volume provides a deeper understanding of her thought and the broader African American intellectual landscape. It challenges the traditional narratives and highlights the contributions of individuals who have been overlooked or marginalized in the historical narrative.

In conclusion, Nannie Helen Burroughs: An Anthology of Her Writings is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the life and work of a remarkable African American intellectual. It offers readers a unique perspective on Burroughs' thought and contributes to the ongoing effort to reformulate the literary canon and include a diverse array of voices. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of African American intellectual history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268105549