Greenwich Village in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Willa Cather 1873-1947
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Richard Wright 1908-1960
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 27, 2017
1. Willa Cather and Richard Wright Marker
Willa Cather, author of My Antonia, wrote her first novel, Alexander's Bridge, here in 1912. Richard Wright, author of Native Son, wrote his autobiography, Black Boy, here in 1945.
Erected by New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Women. In addition, it is included in the New York, New York City Historic Landmarks Preservation Center Cultural Medallions series list.
Location. 40° 43.923′ N, 74° 0.01′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Greenwich Village. It is on Washington Place east of 6th Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 82 Washington Place, New York NY 10011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 80 Washington Place (a few steps from this marker); Greenwich Village Historic District (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Josephs Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named St. Josephs Church (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Golden Swan Garden (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
1. Looking for Literary America: Episode 3-- Willa Cather (YouTube, 7 min.). Willa Cather is most famous for her Prairie novels, including the beautiful My Antonia. (Submitted on July 29, 2017.)
2. Willa Cather in New York: The Greenwich Village Years (WCA). "Beginning in 1906 when Cather became an editor of McClure's Magazine and worked with Edith Lewis, a staff proofreader who would become her lifelong companion, Cather lived at four different residences in Greenwich Village. Her first address was at 60 Washington Square South, across the park from the fashionable and elegant residences of Washington Square North. Like one of her own characters in "Coming, Aphrodite!," Cather belonged to that legion
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 27, 2017
2. Willa Cather and Richard Wright Marker - Wide View, Looking East
3. Richard Wright - Black Boy (YouTube, 5 min.). A biography of Richard Wright, author of Black Boy and Native Son, from his impoverished childhood, involvement in left-wing politics and literary relationships, to his exile and death in Paris. (Submitted on July 29, 2017.)
4. Richard Wright (author) (Wikipedia). Richard Nathaniel Wright (September 4, 1908 – November 28, 1960) was an American author of sometimes controversial novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction. Much of his literature concerns racial themes, especially related to the plight of African Americans during the late 19th to mid-20th centuries, who suffered discrimination and violence in the South and the North. Literary critics believe his work helped change race relations in the United States in the mid-20th century. (Submitted on July 29, 2017.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, July 27, 2017
3. Willa Cather and Richard Wright Marker - Wide View, Looking West
Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, January 22, 1936
4. Portrait of Willa Cather
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Photographed by Carl Van Vechten, June 23, 1939
5. Portrait of Richard Wright
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 29, 2017, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
