Laney Walker in Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Frank Garvin Yerby
King of the Costume Novel
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
1. Frank Garvin Yerby Marker
Inscription.
Frank Garvin Yerby. King of the Costume Novel. Born in Augusta on September 5, 1916, author Frank Garvin Yerby graduated from the Haines Institute and Paine College, and also attended Fisk University and the University of Chicago. He published poetry, short stories, and 33 novels, 12 of which became best sellers. His early novels depicted White characters in historical events; his later works focused on Black characters. Widely celebrated, he was criticized by some African Americans for not confronting racial injustice more openly in his writings. In rebuttal, Yerby challenged critics to read several of his works, including Speak Now and The Dahomean, which he felt addressed racism. Yerby moved to France in 1951 and then Madrid, Spain, in 1955, where he lived until his death on November 30, 1991. His works have been adapted for motion pictures and translated into 30 languages.
Born in Augusta on September 5, 1916, author Frank Garvin Yerby graduated from
the Haines Institute and Paine College, and also attended Fisk University and the
University of Chicago. He published poetry, short stories, and 33 novels, 12 of which
became best sellers. His early novels depicted White characters in historical events;
his later works focused on Black characters. Widely celebrated, he was criticized by
some African Americans for not confronting racial injustice more openly in his
writings. In rebuttal, Yerby challenged critics to read several of his works, including
Speak Now and The Dahomean, which he felt addressed racism. Yerby moved to
France in 1951 and then Madrid, Spain, in 1955, where he lived until his death on
November 30, 1991. His works have been adapted for motion pictures and translated
into 30 languages.
Erected 2023 by Georgia Historical Society • Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History • Haines Alumni Association • Paine College. (Marker Number 121-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1916.
Location. 33° 27.796′
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N, 81° 58.282′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Laney Walker. Marker is on 8th Street north of Laney Walker Boulevard, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1120 8th St, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Frank Yerby. Yerby’s first literary success came in 1944, when he received the O. Henry Memorial Award for his short story “Health Card,” which focuses on the racial inequities faced by an African American soldier and his wife. Prior to the story, Yerby had written a protest novel about racial inequities in the South, but publishers had rejected it. (Valerie Frazier, New Georgia Encyclopedia) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023
2. Frank Garvin Yerby Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 59 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
