African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

Priscilla Jane Thompson (1871-1942): Author Page

Priscilla Jane Thompson (1871-1942) was a widely anthologized poet born in Rossmoyne, Ohio where she lived her entire life. Born into a literary family of six children, with siblings Aaron Belford and Clara Ann also being poets, Thompson found a supportive environment for her creative pursuits. She and her siblings often self-published their work. 

Thompson’s poetry, first collected in Ethiope Lays (1900) and later in Gleanings of Quiet Hours (1907) delves into themes of Christian faith, racial pride, morality, the African American experience, and love, often sapphic (see “An Unromantic Awakening”). Thompson utilizes African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in much of her work and was received favorably by her contemporary readers.  

Works Cited

Black Women of the Harlem Renaissance Era. United States, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2014.
 

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