This project will engage the humanities in a critical re-examination of Booker T. Washington, one of the founders of Tuskegee University and one of the twentieth century’s most influential and controversial black leaders. Although Washington has been the subject of a number of scholarly investigations, the full scope of his ideas, activities, and influence has not been sufficiently researched or adequately articulated. Accordingly, this two-year project, which intersects with the one hundredth anniversary of his death (2015), will employ the tools and perspectives of literary criticism and historical analysis to explore a variety of primary and secondary texts with a view to illuminating neglected dimensions of Washington’s life and work and contributing to a deeper understanding of his complex legacy. Note: Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this Web site do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.