Grand Boulevard (Bronzeville) in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Richard Wright House
— Chicago Landmark —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021
1. Richard Wright House Marker
Richard Wright House
architect unknown
1893
While residing, in the second-floor apartment of this building from 1929 to 1932, celebrated author Richard. Wright effectively began his professional literary career writing his first novel, Lawd Today!, which was published posthumously in 1963. Wright's most influential books, Native Son (1940) and Black Boy (1945), drew in large part from his life experience in Chicago. These controversial and powerful texts examined race relations in the 20th century and are credited with forever changing American culture.
Designated on February 10, 2010
Richard M. Daley, Mayor
Erected by Commission on Chicago Landmarks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 10, 2010.
Location. 41° 48.4′ N, 87° 36.825′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Grand Boulevard (Bronzeville). Marker is at the intersection of South Vincennes Avenue and East 48th Place, on the right when traveling north on South Vincennes Avenue. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Robert S. Abbott (approx. 0.2 miles away); Melissia Ann Elam Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Honorable Harold Washington (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oscar DePriest (approx. 0.4 miles away); Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Marx Brothers (approx. 0.4 miles away); Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong (approx. 0.6 miles away); Kenwood (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . . Richard Wright (Wikipedia).
Richard Wright is recognized as one of the preeminent novelists and essayists of the 20th century. He is most famous for writings depicting the harsh realities of life for Black Americans in the Jim Crow–era South: the short story collection Uncle Tom’s Children (1938); the novel Native Son (1940), which was a bestseller and a Book-of-the-Month club selection, the first by a Black writer to earn the distinction, and produced by John Houseman and Orson Welles on Broadway; and his autobiography, Black Boy (1945).(Submitted on December 20, 2021.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, December 6, 2021
2. Richard Wright House and Marker
The marker is visible here embedded in cement at ground level, just to the right of the steps.
courtesy of the New York Public Library, circa 1950
3. Richard Wright
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 20, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
