Darwin T. Turner

Darwin Theodore Troy Turner was born on May 7, 1931, in Cincinnati, Ohio. who graduated from University of Cincinnati at the age of 18. His grandfather Charles H. Turner, a psychologist, was the first African American to receive a PhD in biology from the University of Chicago. Turner was considered to be a child prodigy, completing fourth grade by the age of four, and graduating high school at the age of 13. Turner enrolled in University of Cincinnati in 1944 at the age of 13. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947 and joined the Phi Beta Kappa honor society at 16. He was the youngest student to ever graduate from the university. == Academic career ==

After completing a Master's degree in English and American literature in 1949, he married Edna Bonner and began teaching at Clark College, Atlanta. In 1952, he became an assistant professor at Morgan State College. While teaching, he continued his studies at the University of Chicago where he graduated with a PhD by the age of 25. which was being developed by Robert A. Corrigan. Turner was the Chair of African American Studies at University of Iowa from 1972 until 1991. He was named Distinguished Professor of English in 1984. During his tenure he expanded the field of African American studies, creating courses in African-American history and culture. Over the course of his career, Turner edited and authored more than 17 books, and wrote more than a hundred articles, book reviews and other works. His work drew attention to the accomplishments of Black artists and intellectuals. At the time of his death he was completing a collection of his own writings, which was published posthumously as Black Drama in America in 1994. == Legacy ==

Turner is considered to be a pioneer in the field of African American studies. The 1992 fall issue of The Langston Hughes Review was dedicated to him. The Darwin T. Turner Scholars Program at the University of Cincinnati, the Darwin Turner Endowment at the University of Iowa were established after his death. Since 2018, the College Language Association has presented the Darwin T. Turner Best Essay Award. ==Writings==

• In a Minor Chord: Three Afro-American Writers and Their Search for Identity • Katharsis • ''Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"'' • Black Drama in America: An Anthology , editor • Afro-American Writers, a bibliography • Black American Literature, Essays, editor ==References==