Who Is W.E.B. DuBois?

David Levering Lewis’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography of a Race, 1868-1919," a book that I discovered at The Hermitage Bookshop in Denver’s Cherry Creek North District, is an exhaustive and illuminating study of one of the most prominent Black intellectuals of the 20th century. 

Lewis’s work is not merely a biography of a man but also a richly detailed account of the social and political landscape that shaped and was in turn transformed by Du Bois.

The book delves deep into W.E.B. Du Bois’s life, tracing his journey from his birth in Massachusetts to his role as a founding figure of the NAACP. Lewis provides a meticulously researched narrative that captures the essence of Du Bois’s character: his relentless pursuit of education, his rising consciousness of racial injustices, and his burgeoning role as a spokesperson for African Americans.

Lewis does not shy away from the complexities of Du Bois's character, providing a nuanced portrayal that acknowledges his brilliance and his flaws. The biography is as much a study of Du Bois’s personal evolution as it is of his public persona and the dawning of his political and sociological ideas, such as those encapsulated in "The Souls of Black Folk." 

The author’s prose is both eloquent and accessible, weaving a historical tapestry that contextualizes Du Bois’s personal struggles and triumphs within the broader narrative of Black History. Through this comprehensive examination, Lewis sheds light on how Du Bois’s work laid the foundation for future civil rights movements and intellectual discourse on race relations in America.

I believe that "W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography of a Race" is an essential read for anyone interested in American history, racial dynamics, and the life of a man who was as complex as the times he lived in. It serves as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of Du Bois’s work and a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality. 

Lewis’s biography stands as a monumental tribute to W.E.B. Du Bois, encapsulating the spirit of a race and the soul of its struggle through one man’s extraordinary life.

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