Booker T. Washington
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Brief Biography
Booker T. Washington, born into slavery in Virginia, experienced firsthand the challenges faced by African Americans during the Reconstruction era. His determination to pursue education led him to the Hampton Normal and Industrial Institute, where he completed his bachelor’s degree. He then became a teacher in Malden, West Virginia, and later earned a master's degree from Wayland Seminary. In 1881, Washington moved to Tuskegee, Alabama, and worked hard to establish the Tuskegee Institute, which followed the same principles as the Hampton Normal and Industrial Institute. He advocated for self-reliance, dignity of labor, and gradual progress toward racial equality, using his influential public speaking career to address these issues. He published several collections of essays and speeches during his life, but he is best remembered for his 1901 autobiography Up From Slavery. He remained a prominent spokesperson for the Black community until his passing in 1915.
Publications
The Future of the American Negro. Boston; Small, Maynard & Company, 1899.
Sowing and Reaping. Boston, Mass.; LD Page & Co, 1900.
The Story of My Life and Work. Napierville, Ill.; JL Nichols & Co, 1900.
Up from Slavery; an Autobiography. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1901.
Character Building, Being Addresses Delivered on Sunday Evenings to the Students of Tuskegee Institute. New York; Haskel House, 1902.
Education of the Negro. Albany, N.Y.; JB Lyons Co, 1904.
Working with the Hands. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1904.
Putting the Most into Life. New York; Crowell, 1906.
Frederick Douglass. Philadelphia; G.W. Jacobs & Company, 1907.
The Negro in the South; His Economic Progress in Relation to His Moral and Religious Development. Philadelphia, Penn.; GW Jacobs & Co, 1907.
The Negro in Business. Boston, Mass.; Hertel, Jenkins & Co, 1907.
The Story of the Negro; Rise of the Race from Slavery. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1909.
A New Negro for a New Century. Chicago, Ill.; American Pub House, 1909.
My Larger Education. New York; Page & Company, 1911.
The Man Farthest Down. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1912.
The Story of Slavery. Chicago, Ill.; Hall and McCreary, 1913.
Selected Speeches. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1932.
Black Belt Diamonds; Gems from the Speeches. New York; Fortune & Scott, 1969.
Sowing and Reaping. Boston, Mass.; LD Page & Co, 1900.
The Story of My Life and Work. Napierville, Ill.; JL Nichols & Co, 1900.
Up from Slavery; an Autobiography. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1901.
Character Building, Being Addresses Delivered on Sunday Evenings to the Students of Tuskegee Institute. New York; Haskel House, 1902.
Education of the Negro. Albany, N.Y.; JB Lyons Co, 1904.
Working with the Hands. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1904.
Putting the Most into Life. New York; Crowell, 1906.
Frederick Douglass. Philadelphia; G.W. Jacobs & Company, 1907.
The Negro in the South; His Economic Progress in Relation to His Moral and Religious Development. Philadelphia, Penn.; GW Jacobs & Co, 1907.
The Negro in Business. Boston, Mass.; Hertel, Jenkins & Co, 1907.
The Story of the Negro; Rise of the Race from Slavery. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1909.
A New Negro for a New Century. Chicago, Ill.; American Pub House, 1909.
My Larger Education. New York; Page & Company, 1911.
The Man Farthest Down. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1912.
The Story of Slavery. Chicago, Ill.; Hall and McCreary, 1913.
Selected Speeches. Garden City, N.Y.; Doubleday, 1932.
Black Belt Diamonds; Gems from the Speeches. New York; Fortune & Scott, 1969.
Themes
Booker T. Washington was an educator, author, and orator who wrote speeches, essays, and an autobiography. A common theme in his works is the idea that Black people and white people should mutually respect each other while living and working together. His autobiography stresses that hard work and self-improvement lead to success.
Publisher
Alabama Authors of the 19th and 20th Centuries, edited by Beverley Park Rilett, http://AlabamaAuthors.org
Collection
Citation
Washington, Booker T., “Booker T. Washington,” Alabama Authors of the 19th & 20th Centuries, accessed September 19, 2024, https://alabamaauthors.org/items/show/670.