Carter Godwin Woodson is widely credited as the "father of Black history", having worked to develop and advance both the discipline of African-American history, as well as the establishment of Black History Month. This book contains works by a number of orators (with significant commentary by Woodson), including Peter Williams, William Whipper, J. M. Langston, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and James Weldon Johnson. This first edition copy was presented by Woodson to the The Phyllis Wheatley Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of DC, which began in 1920, and was one of the first African-American YWCAs in the United States.

Octavo, xi, [3], 711 pages. In Good minus condition. Bound in publisher's green cloth with gilt lettering to spine and front board and is dulled at spine. Moderate rubbing and wear overall. Pencil 'BMS' written in large letters to the top edge of text block, pencil name of Blanche M. Storm to front free end paper, bookplate to verso of half-title for Laurence J. W. Hayes, gutter at title page largely open, with approximately one third of the webbing still attached in the center, offsetting from newspaper to pages 294/295, rear gutter showing webbing. Ex-library, with card pocket and checkout card on rear pastedown. Inscribed on the front pastedown by Carter Godwin Woodson: "Presented to Phyllis Wheatley Y.W.C.A. by Carter Godwin Woodson Oct 8th 1925". JR Consignment. Shelved in Case 1.