Carl Van Vechten photograph portrait of William Demby

Critic, novelist, and photographer Carl Van Vechten, born June 17, 1880, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was active in the cultural scenes of New York City and Paris during the early half of the twentieth century. After 1932, Van Vechten worked predominantly as a photographer, producing classic images of many literary and cultural figures. Van Vechten was also Gertrude Stein's literary executor and following her death in 1946 edited much of her collected writing. Carl Van Vechten died on December 21, 1964.

"Carl Van Vechten." Contemporary Authors Online. Gale Biography in Context. (accessed December 2011).

Novelist, film translator, and educator William Demby (1922-2013) is regarded as one of the most important African-American authors of the 20th century. Demby studied at the University of West Virginia with poet/novelist Margaret Walker while also giving serious consideration to a career as a jazz musician. After serving in Italy and North Africa in World War II, Demby returned to Rome to study art and art history as a Masters student. He found steady work as a translator of Italian films for high-profile directors including Federico Fellini and Roberto Rossellini. His major writings were created during his expatriate years and included experimental novels that explored racial justice and national identity.

“William Demby.” Contemporary Black Biography. Gale Biography in Context. (accessed October 13, 2017).