Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the first African-Americans in history to cross the bridge of racial discrimination and publish numerous books and poems. He became nationally renowned and is still respected today. “He [has written] a dozen books of poetry, four books or short stories, five novels, and a play” (Poem Hunter). One aspect of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s work he is recognized for is the language and dialect he uses when writing. He would write in a black dialect as well as traditional English