This NPR podcast explores the influential role of Jesse Redmond Fawcett, the first Black Cornell graduate and Phi Beta Kappa inductee, during the Harlem Renaissance literary movement. Author Victoria Christopher Murray shines a light on how Fawcett, through her work at W.E.B. Du Bois' esteemed Crisis magazine, mentored iconic writers like Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen as they discovered their voices.
Murray weaves Fawcett's affair with Du Bois as a pivotal plot point in her novel "Harlem Rhapsody," detailing how their relationship led Fawcett to New York City and the literary editor position where she became a guiding force. With meticulous research, the novel evokes the atmosphere and language of 1920s Harlem and the vibrancy of Black creativity during that historic era.
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Jesse Redmond Fawcett, the first Black woman Cornell graduate and Phi Beta Kappa inductee, secured the literary editor position at W.E.B. Du Bois' esteemed Crisis magazine, placing her at the center of the Harlem Renaissance literary scene.
Victoria Christopher Murray, in researching the era, discovered Fawcett's pivotal influence, earning her the moniker "Midwife of the Harlem Renaissance." Fawcett mentored iconic writers like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and Nella Larsen, nurturing their talents and guiding them through challenges as young authors.
Murray deems Fawcett's affair with Du Bois essential to the narrative's effectiveness, as it influenced Fawcett's move to New York and her esteemed role as Crisis literary editor. Murray portrays their relationship as an ordinary affair between two extraordinary individuals, a catalyst for Fawcett's prominence in nurturing Harlem Renaissance creatives.
To capture an authentic 1920s atmosphere, Murray meticulously studied every Crisis issue from 1919 to 1925, adopting the era's formal language and mindset. Her novel, "Harlem Rhapsody," further enhances authenticity by featuring real Harlem Renaissance figures, allowing readers to feel transported to the vibrancy of that historic period. Murray's research and craft vividly bring to life the spirit of Fawcett and Black creativity during the era.
1-Page Summary
Jesse Redmond Fawcett's prominent role in the Harlem Renaissance period as a nurturer of talent and a prominent figure in literature is highlighted by her academic accomplishments and contributions to nurturing young Black writers.
Jesse Redmond Fawcett's academic achievements set a precedent for her significant influence on the literary community, especially in the Harlem Renaissance.
Fawcett, distinguishing herself as both the first Black woman to graduate from Cornell University and the first Black woman to be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, leveraged her accomplishments to secure the literary editor position at The Crisis. The magazine, created by W.E.B. Du Bois, was an essential platform for African American writers and thinkers. Fawcett's leadership role at this publication placed her at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance's intense literary activity.
Victoria Christopher Murray discovered the breadth of Fawcett's impact during her research on women of the Harlem Renaissance. She found references by Langston Hughes who regarded Fawcett as the "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance," a fitting tribute to her deep influence on the period's literary progress.
Jesse Redmond Fawcett's Role in the Harlem Renaissance
Victoria Christopher Murray explores the complex relationship between Jesse Redmond Fawcett and W.E.B. Du Bois and its significance within the Harlem Renaissance.
Murray initially tried writing her book without the affair, focusing solely on Fawcett's impact, but found it lacked narrative effectiveness. She claims the affair was instrumental to Fawcett's relocation to New York and her achievements within the Harlem Renaissance, making it an indispensable aspect of the story.
Du Bois' encouragement and their romantic involvement significantly influenced Fawcett's decision to move to New York, where she secured the prominent position of the Crisis Literary Editor. This role granted her the platform to support and develop the careers of Harlem Renaissance writers and artists and to complete her first novel.
Murray brings forth the notion that, despite their exc ...
Fawcett's Affair With Du Bois and Its Impact on the Harlem Renaissance
Victoria Christopher Murray went to great lengths to capture the authentic atmosphere and language of the 1920s in her historical fiction.
To ensure a period-accurate portrayal of the 1920s, especially during the time Jesse Fawcett served as editor, Murray read every issue of The Crisis magazine from 1919 to 1925. Her research was thorough and aimed to not only echo the linguistic style of the era but also reflect the mindset of the people. Murray's dedication to authenticity meant embracing the formality of the time in her writing, opting for her characters to ponder rather than merely think, thus drawing readers deeper into the atmosphere of the time.
"Harlem Rhapsody," Murray's novel, becomes a rich tapestry by featuring real figures from the Harlem Renaissance, furt ...
Capturing 1920s Language and Atmosphere in Historical Fiction
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