Russell L. Adams

Born, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Russell L. Adams was responsible for Great Negroes Past and Present, an iconic publication, first published in 1963. The book was a bold attempt to bring to a general readership something of the majestic history African Americans and others of African origin had played in the building of, and history of, the US. The brief biographical sketches were of outstanding Africans and Africans who made distinguished contributions to history, to science and industry, to fine arts, to education and religion, and to the performing arts. The biographical sketches were accompanied by illustrations by Eugene Winslow. Numerous personalities were represented in Great Negroes Past and Present, and section XII was dedicated to VISUAL ART, and introduced its readers to artists such as Robert Duncanson, Edward M. Bannister, Horace Pippin, Richard H. Hunt, and Jacob Lawrence. Included in this distinguished grouping of 15 artists was Charles White, introduced as ‘Modern Painter’.

The selection of fifteen artists was introduced by a short, one-page essay, “XII VISUAL ART: Every Eye a Witness”

»  Great Negroes Past and Present

Book relating to a publication, 1984