The New Negro

In The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, Jeffrey C. Stewart presents a comprehensive biography of the influential figure behind the Harlem Renaissance. Drawing on primary sources and personal interviews, Stewart chronicles Locke's remarkable journey as the first African American Rhodes Scholar and a Harvard PhD, his impactful tenure at Howard University, and his experiences in Europe that shaped his appreciation for art. Highlighting Locke's promotion of Black culture during the Jazz Age, the biography examines his shift in focus from racial politics to artistic expression and his quest for love amidst his complex personal relationships.