LibGuides: ENG: Faster than Light, Marilyn Nelson: Historical Context & Related Resources

Historical Context & Related Sources

"A Wreath for Emmett Till"

'Emmett Till': A Poem of Sorrow, and Hope (audio)
NPR Interview with Nelson about "Wreath for Emmett Till" (5 minutes)
Nelson reads "Wreath for Emmett Till" (18 minutes)
Overview: The Murder of Emmett Till. (reference article)
Sonneborn, Liz. Chapter in The Murder of Emmett Till, Facts On File, 2023. History Database Center.
"Till, Emmett." (brief reference article)
Altman, Susan. Article in Encyclopedia of African-American Heritage, Facts On File, 2020. History Database Center.
60 Minutes: The Murder of Emmett Till (video, 26 minutes)
In 2004, 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley reported on the 1955 murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till. Note: This resource is part of Facing History & Ourselves Teaching Unit: “I Wanted the Whole World to See”: The Murder of Emmett Till

The Freedom Business

Venture Smith, 'The Black Paul Bunyan' (audio, 7 minutes)
From National Public Radio: n the 1700s, after escaping slavery, Venture Smith achieved success as a farmer and businessman in New England. Hear how researchers are trying to keep alive the story of Smith, dubbed "the black Paul Bunyan."
Smith, Venture (reference article)
King, Stewart. Encyclopedia of Free Blacks and People of Color in the Americas, Facts On File, 2012. History Database Center
Venture Smith: The First Slave Narrative (blog post with images)
Tucker, Neely. Library of Congress.

Fortune's Bones: The Manumission Requiem

Seneca Village

Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies & Little Misses of Color

Crandall, Prudence (reference article)
Cullen-DuPont, Kathryn. Encyclopedia of Women’s History in America, Second Edition, Facts On File, 2000. History Database Center.
Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury

Washington Carver, a life in poems

Poetry that honors the remarkable life of George Washington Carver (video, 7 minutes)
Poet Marilyn Nelson shares three poems from her collections "Carver: A Life In Poems," recalling the achievements of the iconic scientist George Washington Carver and bringing to life the poetic beauty of his work.
George Washington Carver (reference article and video)
Biography and video about George Washington Carver from the National Park Service.
Tuskegee Institute (reference article)
Smith, Robert. Encyclopedia of African-American Politics, Third Edition, Facts On File, 2021. History Database Center.
Washington, Booker T. (reference article)
Kranz, Rachel. Biographical Dictionary of African Americans, Revised Edition, Facts On File, 2021. History Database Center.

Sweethearts of Rhythm

International Sweethearts of Rhythm (video, 30 minutes)
Dir. Greta Schiller. Jezebel Productions, 1986. Kanopy.
International Sweethearts of Rhythm (reference article)
Kernodle, Tammy L. Grove Music Online. February 11, 2013. Oxford University Press.

History Database Center
Use this online reference collection to learn about
the historical figures and events Nelson refers to in her poems.

Includes biographies, subject entries, chronologies, primary sources, maps and charts, and images for American History, World History, American Women's History, African American History and Culture, American Indian History and Culture, and Ancient History and Culture.
Britannica Online - Academic Edition