Chicago World's Fair, 1893

In the 200 block of E. 31st Street, Chicago, IL, there stands a 9-foot statue of Paul Laurence Dunbar.  The work was commissioned to Debra Hand in March of 2012, and unveiled in Dunbar Park September of 2014.

Of significance, the statue portrays Paul's recitation at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893.  Prior to then, the fair had not incorporated any of the contributions of African Americans in its expositions.  However, it was through Paul's unique friendship with Frederick Douglas that at 21 years old, the poet would embark upon his tenacious journey of becoming the first African American to reach international literary acclaim.