Wallace Thurman Biography; Quotes, Family, Education And Cause Of Death

Wallace Thurman was an American novelist who was active during the Harlem Renaissance. He was born on August 16, 1902, in Salt Lake City to Beulah and Oscar Thurman. His early life was masked with loneliness, family instability and illness.

Wallace began grade school at age 6 in Boise, Idaho, but his poor health condition led to a two-year absence from school. From 1910 to 1914, he lived in Chicago with his mother where he completed Grammar school in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

In 1925, Wallace moved to Harlem. During this decade, he worked as a ghostwriter, publisher and editor, as well as writing novels, plays and articles. In 1926, he became the editor of the Messenger, a socialist journal to address blacks. Wallace left the journal in 1926 to become the editor of World Tomorrow owned by whites.

Wallace Thurman was able to publish only one issue of fire which challenged African Americans who had been working for social equality and racial integration.

Wallace Thurman Quotes

• I am reminded again that the greatest phrase ever written is words, words, words.
• I cannot bear to associate with the ordinary run of people. I have to surround myself with individuals who for the most part are more than a trifle insane.
• It was the way of Emma Lou always to create her worlds within her own mind without taking under consideration the fact that other people and other elements, not contained within herself, would also have to aid in their moulding.
• Beloved, we join hands here to pray for gin. An aridity defiles us. Our innards thirst for the juice of juniper. Something must be done. The drought threatens to destroy us. Surely, God who let manna fall from the heavens so that the holy children of Israel might eat, will not let the equally holy children of Niggeratti Manor die from the want of a little gin. Children, let us pray.
• Perhaps if she were to live with a homey type of family they could introduce her to “the right sort of people.

Wallace Thurman Family

Wallace Thurman married Louise Thompson on August 22, 1928. The marriage lasted for only 6 months. Thompson said Wallace was a homosexual and refused to admit it. They had no children together.

Wallace Thurman Education

Wallace began grade school at age 6 in Boise, Idaho, but his poor health condition led to a two-year absence from school. He moved to Chicago with his mother where he completed Grammar school in Omaha, Nebraska.

Cause Of Death

Wallace Thurman died at the age of 32 from Tuberculosis, which many suspects was exacerbated by his long fight with alcoholism.