On June 27, 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was born in Dayton to Matilda and Joshua Dunbar. His birth is noted in a large, handwritten index in the county records office.
Paul Dunbar, 1872, June 27, Ohio, Montgomery, Dayton.
Record of Births, Montgomery County, Ohio. Volume 1, Page 151, Line 45. Montgomery County, Ohio, Records Center and Archives.
On Paul's 20th birthday in 1892, a Dayton newspaper published one of his poems on the front page. Titled "Dedicated to Dayton's Guests," the poem welcomed members of the Western Association of Writers, who were in the city that week for a conference.
A welcome warm as Western wine,
And free as Western hearts, be thine.
Do what the greatest joy insures,
The city has no will but yours!
Excerpt from "Dedicated to Dayton's Guests," by Paul Laurence Dunbar. Dayton Daily Journal (Dayton, Ohio). June 27, 1892. Page 1.
On his 22nd birthday in 1894, Paul was in Warsaw, Indiana, where he participated in another annual conference of the Western Association of Writers.
The western writers met at Spring Fountain Park today and carried out the program. The evening session was held in the city, to better accommodate the vast concourse who wished to hear the annual lecture, which was delivered by Dr. John Clark Ridpath, the eminent historian. Colonel Coates Kinney and Paul Dunbar each delivered a poem, Mr. Dunbar's being a character sketch, and they were so well received they were obliged to respond to encores.
"Western Writers Still in Session." The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). June 28, 1894. Page 1.
When Paul's 23rd birthday took place in 1895, he had recently begun corresponding with Alice Ruth Moore, a New Orleans school teacher and writer who would eventually become his wife.
Your letter found me at Indianapolis, but I dispatch this to you from my home where I have come to spend my birthday which occurs the day after tomorrow. Will you satisfy my curiosity about you on three points? Do you recite? Do you sing? Don't you dance divinely? If I am impudent in asking these things don't hesitate to tell me so.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 25, 1895. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
On Paul's 24th birthday in 1896, he became nationally famous when a review of his book Majors and Minors was published in Harper's Weekly. The article was written by William Dean Howells, the most influential literary critic in America.
There has come to me from the hand of a friend, very unofficially, a little book of verse, dateless, placeless, without a publisher, which has greatly interested me. I came to read the little book, and to recognize its artistic quality. I do not remember any English-speaking negro who has till now done in verse work of at all the same moment as Paul Laurence Dunbar, the author of the volume I am speaking of. He is a real poet whether he speaks a dialect or whether he writes a language.
"Life and Letters," by William Dean Howells. Harper's Weekly (New York, New York). June 27, 1896. Page 630.
On his 25th birthday in 1897, Paul was in England to recite his works and find an English publisher for his book Lyrics of Lowly Life. He and Alice had recently become engaged and he wrote to her often while overseas.
I am twenty-five today. Little did I think at this time last year that I should be writing letters from London. But neither did I think that I would be betrothed to the sweetest little woman in America either. I long with all my heart to see you tonight, but for a little while yet must I hunger and thirst for your presence my love, then shall my waiting be rewarded and I shall be filled with the glory of being near you.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 27, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
On his 27th birthday in 1899, Paul was in the Catskill Mountains recovering from a severe case of pneumonia. He was accompanied by Alice, whom he had married in 1898. Paul described their surroundings in a letter to his mother Matilda.
I have been walking away up in the mountains. This place is beautiful and I hope the air will do me good. We are on a mountain and entirely surrounded by others. There is good fishing below. I have picked up until I weigh 125 pounds and my appetite is enormous. I shall be twenty-seven tomorrow the 27th of June. Who'd have thought that I should be away up here on my birthday when I really wanted to be by the sea.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Matilda Dunbar, June 26, 1899. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 2).
As his 29th birthday approached in 1901, Paul was in New York City and Alice was visiting her family in Massachusetts. She sent birthday greetings to him in a letter, the last one known to exist from Alice to Paul. The Dunbars separated permanently about seven months later.
It was a most uneventful trip save that it was so hot I was nigh driven to tears and oh so dirty! It is hot here and I know what it must be in New York. I have done nothing but lay all day in a kimono. I hope you will get this on your birthday, darling, and I hope you will see fifty-nine more. I wish you could be here to spend it with me. How soon are you coming?
Alice Moore Dunbar to Paul Laurence Dunbar, June 23, 1901. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 8).
On his 30th birthday in 1902, Paul was living in Chicago with his mother. He and Alice had separated, but were not divorced. While in Chicago, Paul spent time with a woman who identified herself as "Rose" in her letters.
I did not forget you today, nor any day. I have a little memory token for you, on this your birthday. If you can run out Saturday afternoon I shall be so glad. I have been ill since I saw you. I returned home that day at 12:15 and went to bed. I shall give you the little trinket whenever I see you. My dear, shall that be very soon?
"Rose" [Edith Birney] to Paul Laurence Dunbar, June 27, 1902. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 1).