The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

History

Johnson originally published The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man anonymously in 1912, via the small Boston publisher Sherman, French, & Company.[1] He decided to publish it anonymously because he was uncertain how the potentially controversial book would affect his diplomatic career. He wrote openly about issues of race and discrimination that were not common then in literature.[2] The book's initial public reception was poor.[3] It was republished in 1927, with some minor changes of phraseology,[4] by Alfred A. Knopf,[5] an influential firm that published many Harlem Renaissance writers, and Johnson was credited as the author.

Despite the title, the book is a novel. It is drawn from the lives of people Johnson knew and from events in his life. Johnson's text is an example of a roman à clef.


This content is from Wikipedia. GradeSaver is providing this content as a courtesy until we can offer a professionally written study guide by one of our staff editors. We do not consider this content professional or citable. Please use your discretion when relying on it.