Frank Yerby
Encyclopedia
Frank Garvin Yerby was an African American
historical novelist. He is best known as the first African American writer to become a millionaire from his pen, and to have a book purchased by a Hollywood studio for a film adaptation.
, Georgia
to Rufus Garvin Yerby, an African American, and Wilhelmina Smythe, who was caucasian. He graduated from Haines Normal Institute in Augusta and graduated from Paine College
in 1937. Thereafter, Yerby enrolled in Fisk University
where he received his Master's degree in 1938. In 1939, Yerby entered the University of Chicago
to work toward his doctorate but later left the university. Yerby taught briefly at Florida A&M University and at Southern University in Baton Rouge.
of Pericles
to Europe
in the Dark Ages. Yerby took considerable pains in research, and often footnoted his historical novels. In all, he wrote 33 novels. In 1946, he published The Foxes of Harrow (novel), a southern historical romance, which became the first novel by an African-American to sell more than a million copies. In this work he faithfully reproduced many of the genre's most familiar features, with the notable exception of his representation of African American characters, who bore little resemblance to the "happy darkies" that appeared in such well known works as Gone With the Wind. That same year he also became the first African-American to have a book purchased for screen adaptation by a Hollywood studio, when 20th Century Fox
optioned Foxes. Ultimately, the book became a 1947 Oscar
-nominated film of the same name
starring Rex Harrison
and Maureen O'Hara
.
In some regards, Yerby is best known for his masterpiece, Dahomean. The 1971 publication of Dahomean, which focuses on the life of an enslaved African chief's son who is transported to America, serves as the culmination of Yerby's efforts toward incorporating racial themes into his works. Prior to which, Yerby was often criticized by blacks for the lack of focus on or stereotypical treatment of African American characters in his books.
in 1955 in protest against racial discrimination
, moving to Spain
(then under the Franco
regime), where he remained for the rest of his life. Frank Yerby died from congestive heart failure
in Madrid and was interred there in the Cementerio de la Almudena
. In 2006, Yerby was posthumously inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
historical novelist. He is best known as the first African American writer to become a millionaire from his pen, and to have a book purchased by a Hollywood studio for a film adaptation.
Early life
Born in AugustaAugusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
to Rufus Garvin Yerby, an African American, and Wilhelmina Smythe, who was caucasian. He graduated from Haines Normal Institute in Augusta and graduated from Paine College
Paine College
Paine College is a private Historically Black college located in Augusta, Georgia.-Mission:The Mission of Paine College, a church-related private institution, is to provide a liberal arts education of the highest quality that emphasizes academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social...
in 1937. Thereafter, Yerby enrolled in Fisk University
Fisk University
Fisk University is an historically black university founded in 1866 in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. The world-famous Fisk Jubilee Singers started as a group of students who performed to earn enough money to save the school at a critical time of financial shortages. They toured to raise funds to...
where he received his Master's degree in 1938. In 1939, Yerby entered the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
to work toward his doctorate but later left the university. Yerby taught briefly at Florida A&M University and at Southern University in Baton Rouge.
Novelist
Yerby was originally noted for writing romance novels set in the Antebellum South. In mid-century, Yerby embarked on a series of best-selling historical novels ranging from the AthensAthens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
of Pericles
Pericles
Pericles was a prominent and influential statesman, orator, and general of Athens during the city's Golden Age—specifically, the time between the Persian and Peloponnesian wars...
to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the Dark Ages. Yerby took considerable pains in research, and often footnoted his historical novels. In all, he wrote 33 novels. In 1946, he published The Foxes of Harrow (novel), a southern historical romance, which became the first novel by an African-American to sell more than a million copies. In this work he faithfully reproduced many of the genre's most familiar features, with the notable exception of his representation of African American characters, who bore little resemblance to the "happy darkies" that appeared in such well known works as Gone With the Wind. That same year he also became the first African-American to have a book purchased for screen adaptation by a Hollywood studio, when 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
optioned Foxes. Ultimately, the book became a 1947 Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-nominated film of the same name
The Foxes of Harrow
The Foxes of Harrow is an adventure film directed by John M. Stahl and produced by William A. Bacher. The film Rex Harrison, Maureen O'Hara, Richard Haydn with Victor McLaglen, Vanessa Brown, Patricia Medina, Gene Lockhart, and Hugo Haas...
starring Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison
Sir Reginald Carey “Rex” Harrison was an English actor of stage and screen. Harrison won an Academy Award and two Tony Awards.-Youth and stage career:...
and Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara is an Irish film actress and singer. The famously red-headed O'Hara has been noted for playing fiercely passionate heroines with a highly sensible attitude. She often worked with director John Ford and longtime friend John Wayne...
.
In some regards, Yerby is best known for his masterpiece, Dahomean. The 1971 publication of Dahomean, which focuses on the life of an enslaved African chief's son who is transported to America, serves as the culmination of Yerby's efforts toward incorporating racial themes into his works. Prior to which, Yerby was often criticized by blacks for the lack of focus on or stereotypical treatment of African American characters in his books.
Later Years
Yerby left the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1955 in protest against racial discrimination
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, moving to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
(then under the Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
regime), where he remained for the rest of his life. Frank Yerby died from congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
in Madrid and was interred there in the Cementerio de la Almudena
Cementerio de la Almudena
The Cementerio de Nuestra Señora de La Almudena is a cemetery in Madrid, Spain. It is the largest in Madrid and one of the largest in Western Europe...
. In 2006, Yerby was posthumously inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.
Partial bibliography
- The Foxes of Harrow (1946)
- The Vixens (1947)
- The Golden Hawk (1948)
- Pride's Castle (1949)
- Floodtide (1950)
- A Woman Called Fancy (1951)
- The Saracen Blade (1952)
- The Devil's Laughter (1953)
- Bride of Liberty (1954)
- Benton's Row (1954)
- The Treasure of Pleasant Valley (1955)
- Captain Rebel (1955)
- Fair Oaks (1957)
- The Serpent and The Staff (1958)
- Jarrett's Jade (1959)
- Gillian (1960)
- The Garfield Honor (1961)
- Griffin's Way (1962)
- The Old Gods Laugh (1964)
- An Odor of Sanctity (1965)
- Goat SongGoat SongGoat Song is a novel by Frank Yerby describing ancient Sparta and the Peloponnesian War with Athens.-Plot summary:Ariston, a Spartiate, is the hero cursed and blessed by a matchless beauty that was the Hellenic ideal. This was a time of burgeoning culture and festering decadence, of excessive...
(1967) - Judas, My BrotherJudas, My BrotherJudas, My Brother: The Story of the Thirteenth Disciple is a 1968 historical novel by Frank Yerby. The novel provides a narrative attempting a demythologized account of the events surrounding the life of Jesus and the origin of Christianity....
(1968) - Speak Now (1969)
- The Dahomean (1971, later published as The Man from Dahomey)
- The Girl From Storeyville (1972)
- The Voyage Unplanned (1974)
- Tobias and the Angel (1975)
- A Rose for Ana Maria (1976)
- Hail the Conquering Hero (1977)
- A Darkness at Ingraham's Crest (1979)
- Western: A Saga of the Great Plains (1982)
- Devilseed (1984)
- McKenzie's Hundred (1985)
Film adaptations
- The Foxes of HarrowThe Foxes of HarrowThe Foxes of Harrow is an adventure film directed by John M. Stahl and produced by William A. Bacher. The film Rex Harrison, Maureen O'Hara, Richard Haydn with Victor McLaglen, Vanessa Brown, Patricia Medina, Gene Lockhart, and Hugo Haas...
(1947) - The Golden Hawk (1952)
- The Saracen Blade (1954)
Further reading
- Jarrett, Gene Andrew, Deans and Truants: Race and Realism in African American Literature (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007)
- Lowe, J., "Subversive Romanticism, Haitian Specters, in Yerby’s The Golden Hawk" (Unpublished manuscript of conference paper) http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/1/1/4/2/6/p114260_index.html
- Smiles, Robin V., "Uncovering Frank Yerby" in Black Issues in Higher Education, November 4, 2004 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DXK/is_19_21/ai_n8964649/
- Williams, John A. "Negro In Literature Today" in Ebony magazine issue of September 1963 http://books.google.fr/books?id=WF2MuN467ZIC&source=gbs_navlinks_s
External links
- Frank Yerby Renaissance Project Tribute/research site
- New Georgia Encyclopedia Frank Yerby