Literary Landmark: 33 South Front, Cossitt Library - Richard Wright

Memphis, Tenn.

Dedicated: April 15, 1998

Partners: Tennessee Library Association

In the 1920s Richard Wright (1908-1960) was denied access to the library because of race. A sympathetic white man helped Wright use the library, thus nourishing his dream of becoming a writer. This story is told in Wright’s famous autobiography, Black Boy (1945).

Resources:

Memphis Public Library - Cossitt Library (website)

Memphis Cossitt Library (Historic Memphis)

Our Beloved Memphis Cossitt Library (OurWrightSideWeblog)