Utah historian reflects on life of talented Black writer

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — From a history standpoint, not many people in the Beehive State are familiar with the life of Wallace Thurman.

He was a young and talented African American writer who became a link that tied Utah to the Harlem Renaissance.

Dr. Ron Coleman, a retired history professor from the University of Utah, found information about Thurman while he was researching African American history in the state.

A significant amount of the information he found was published by the Utah Historical Society for the book, "The Peoples of Utah."

Wallace Thurman had a way with words and developed his gifts to become an American novelist, publisher and screenwriter during the Harlem Renaissance, which was around the 1920s to mid 1930s.

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“Wallace Thurman was born and raised here in Salt Lake City,” Dr. Coleman said.

He was born on Aug. 16, 1902.

Writings from other local historians indicate Thurman attended West High School and eventually the University of Utah for a year. He then transferred to the University of Southern California but left without finishing his degree.

After a while Thurman ended up in New York City, where he connected with other legendary Black writers of that time.

“He was a writer. You’ve heard of Lanston Hughes and Arna Bontempts? And some of the great African American writers of the Harlem Renaissance, he’s part of that,” Dr. Coleman said.

Despite all his work and professional achievements, Thurman’s life hasn’t been discussed much.

“Most people don’t connect him with Utah, and he was born and raised right here in Salt Lake City,” Dr. Coleman said.

That’s something Dr. Coleman couldn’t emphasize enough, especially considering that during The Harlem Renaissance, legendary Black writers, including Langston Hughes, were around.

He and Wallace Thurman ran in some of the same circles.

“They knew one another. They were back in New York at the same time. Hughes came to Salt Lake a few times,” Dr. Coleman said.

Thurman died in December of 1934 at the age of 32. Some believe he had some health issues and a drinking problem.

So far, no records indicate he left behind a wife or children.

During Thurman’s life, he wore many hats, working as an editor, publisher of newspapers, and writing essays and novels.

One of his famous novels is called "The Blacker the Berry: A Novel of Negro Life," published in 1929.

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