Henrietta Cordelia Ray
Henrietta Cordelia Ray (1852-1916) was an influential African American poet and educator from New York City. Born into a culturally rich and privileged family, she received a strong education, graduating from the University of the City of New York in 1891. Ray's early life was deeply impacted by her father, a blacksmith and abolitionist, and her mother, who nurtured a love for culture and education in her children. Ray initially worked as a public school teacher before shifting her focus to writing, supported by her sister Florence, who provided both financial and emotional backing.
Ray first gained public recognition for her poem "Lincoln," which was read at the unveiling of the Freedmen's Monument in 1876. She published extensively in various periodicals and co-authored a biography of her father, earning critical acclaim. Her poetry often reflected themes of family, love, and nature, showcasing her lyrical talent. Ray's notable works include "Sonnets" (1893) and "Poems" (1910), which are celebrated for their calming qualities and emotional depth. Through her literary contributions, Ray emerged as a prominent figure in African American literary circles, promoting social advancement and equality.
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Subject Terms
Henrietta Cordelia Ray
- Born: August 30, 1852
- Birthplace: New York, New York
- Died: January 5, 1916
- Place of death: Brooklyn, New York
Biography
Henrietta Cordelia Ray was born August 30, 1852, in New York City. Her father, Charles B. Ray, was a blacksmith, congregational minister, and abolitionist who bestowed a sense of justice, fairness, and compassion in his children. Her mother, Charlotte Augusta Burrough, provided a refined and cultured upbringing for her seven children that was filled with tender nurturing and love. Ray and her six siblings came from a privileged home where culture and education were stressed. Ray and three of her sisters graduated from college, which was almost unheard of in the late nineteenth century.
Ray graduated from the University of the City of New York in 1891 and also attended the Sauvener School of Languages, where she excelled in French, Greek, and Latin as well as being an English scholar. Upon completing her education, she became a teacher in the New York City public school system. She left the teaching profession to devote herself to writing, while continuing to teach small groups of students music, mathematics, and languages privately. Her older sister and lifelong companion, Florence, played a key role in Ray being able to write full time by supporting Ray financially and emotionally. In addition to writing and tutoring, Ray also served as secretary and held other offices in the many charities and organizations she belonged to. She was known not only for her literary gifts, but also for her intelligence, and became an active member in several African American organizations that promoted social advancement and equality.
Ray first began to gain notice for her writing in April, 1876, after her poem Lincoln was read by William E. Matthews at the unveiling of the Freedmen’s Monument in Washington, D.C. She went on to regularly publish poems in several widely circulated periodicals and journals.
In 1887, Ray and her sister Florence received high praise and acclaim for the biography the two wrote about their father, Sketch of the Life of Reverend Charles B. Ray. Ray also wrote a great many poems about her mother and her siblings, those living and those who passed away in childhood, which convey an intimate sense of tenderness and unconditional love. She also immortalized her beloved sister Florence in a poem after she died.
Ray’s work was complied and published in Sonnets in 1893, and again in 1910 with Poems. Her worked was praised for its lyrical and calming qualities. Through her poems, the reader experiences Ray’s intellect and classical knowledge, as well as her love of nature, family, and life.
Henrietta Cordelia Ray died in 1916.
Ray’s ability to create a calming, soothing environment for her reader through shared emotions throughout her poetry is her greatest contribution to literature.