Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) was an influential African American educator, author, and orator who played a key role in the advancement of education for African Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery, Washington rose to prominence as the founder of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he emphasized vocational training and self-help as means for African Americans to achieve social and economic progress. His notable works include 'Up from Slavery' (1901), an autobiography that outlines his philosophy of education and self-improvement, and 'The Future of the American Negro' (1901), which explores the challenges and opportunities facing African Americans. Washington's writing style is characterized by its clarity, pragmatism, and a deep sense of moral purpose, often advocating for patience and hard work as keys to overcoming racial prejudice.