On June 10, 1897, Paul Laurence Dunbar in London wrote a lonesome letter to his fiancée Alice Ruth Moore in Brooklyn. Paul was in England for a recital tour and to find an English publisher for his book Lyrics of Lowly Life. Paul and Alice had been writing to each other for more than two years, but they met in person only briefly on the night before Paul left for England. Alice had promised to marry him but, separated by thousands of miles, Paul was feeling insecure.
And are you still too busy to find time to write to your forlorn lover? I often long for home and my dear old nightly games of whist, my American cigars and American girls. Particularly am I yearning just now for the sight of one fair American Girl who starts two letters to her absent lover and stops both of them in the middle. When I first read your missives, I became angry and picked up my pen to write you at once, but I laid it down again and kissed the envelope, for your dear hands had touched it and that was much. Tell me a fact -- are you getting a bit tired of me? Has some one of the American boys stolen my little girl's heart away from me? I want to know so badly.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, June 10, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
Paul was particularly concerned about Alice's contact with Henry Burleigh, an African American vocalist and composer. He was at Paul's going-away party hosted by Alice's friend Victoria Earle Matthews. Paul mentioned Burleigh in other letters to Alice during his trip to England.
5th day out
Steamship "Umbria"
I think of you and my mother as guardian angels whose kindly spirits are guiding me safely over the seas. Will you, too keep me in mind, dear, and remember the promise you have made me, the one on which I shall live through all the coming days. Give my love to your dear mother, but sweetheart keep a wealth of it for yourself. Am I jealous or simply curious to want to know the outcome of your evening with Mr. Burleigh.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, February 10, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
I do not go out any more than is necessary but darling I do not want you to play the recluse at all. I have no right nor reason to demand it. It is only when I consider my little worth when compared with other men that I fear your contact with them will rob me of your love. I am glad that Mr. Burleigh is offended with you. He and I had been fairly good friends until he made the remarks he did that night after Mrs. Matthews little meeting. I despised him from that moment.
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, March 26, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
Paul and Burleigh shared the stage at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Burleigh sang and Paul recited a poem during Colored American Day.
Colored American day at The Fair, and the dignified manner of its observance, did honor to the race. The program reflected the highest credit on those who listened as well as on those of special gifts in music and oratory who took the part of entertainers. It is not extravagant to say that the music, the declamation, and the oratory, which were listened to by an audience of several thousand persons, have not often been surpassed by any race on any occasion. Everyone appearing on the stage, whether singer, speaker, or instrumentalist, was rewarded with the most liberal applause, and it was all well earned. Mr. Douglass was president of the day. Will Cook was musical director and Charles S. Morris manager. The artists were Mme. Delseria Plato, mezzo contralto; Miss Hallie Q. Brown, elocutionist; Sidney Woodward and J. Arthur Freeman, tenors; Harry Thacker Burleigh, baritone, teacher in National Conservatory of New York; Joseph Douglass, violinist, a grandson of Frederick Douglass, and Maurice Arnold Strothotte, accompanist.
"Honor to their Race." The Daily Inter Ocean (Chicago, Illinois). August 26, 1893. Page 1.
Burleigh was one of the first Black composers to gain international prominence. He wrote songs based on Paul's poems "A Corn-Song" and "An Ante-Bellum Sermon." He and Paul performed on the same recital programs and Burleigh was a collaborator with many of Paul's colleagues, such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Will Marion Cook.
The entertainment given yesterday at the Waldorf-Astoria for the benefit of the Hampton Institute was slow in beginning, audience and principals being alike held back by the storm. One by one came in the cheerful black faces of Hampton students, members of the quartet, who were down to sing spirituals and folksongs; then Henry Burleigh, the soloist, Paul Laurence Dunbar, the author of a book of poems, Lyrics of Lowly Life, who was to give an author's reading, and Charles W. Wood of Tuskegee, who was to read selected pieces.
"Negro in Literature." New York Commercial Advertiser (New York, New York). February 14, 1899.
The second annual promenade recital given by a committee of colored people of this city interested in literature and music took place last evening in Palm Garden, in East Fifty-Eighth Street. The hall was filled to capacity and an interesting program was excellently rendered. The soloists were Harry Burleigh, baritone; James B. Robinson, tenor; Clarence C. White, violinist, and R. A. Lawson, pianist. Paul Laurence Dunbar read several of his poems. The musical and literary program was followed by dancing.
"At a Promenade Recital." New York Herald (New York, New York). April 12, 1904. Page 12.