Nate Barksdale

Get the surprising stories behind these mottos.

In the 1800s Industrial Revolution advances in transportation and communication laid the groundwork for the modern culture of fame. People were famous for their skill, power or money, but a true celebrity was also famous just for being famous.

Check out fascinating facts about the most famous and influential African American of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

It’s tempting to think that literary greatness affords a form of immortality, but the sad truth is that even great works fall by the wayside.