Melvin B. Tolson

from Texas Originals · host Humanities Texas

Poet and educator Melvin B. Tolson began teaching at the historically black Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, in 1924. A dedicated mentor, he coached Wiley's debate team through an impressive ten-year winning streak. The team is portrayed in the 2007 film The Great Debaters, with Tolson portrayed by Denzel Washington. Tolson was also a brilliant and inventive poet, drawing upon both the western tradition and the distinctive rhythm and vernacular of the blues. In 1947, the African nation of Liberia named him poet laureate.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 20, 2015

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Melvin B. Tolson

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