The Rediscovery of George "Nash" Walker

Daniel E. Atkinson

ISBN 13: 9798855803181

Published by State University of New York Press, US, 2025

About this Item

The first biography of George Walker, a uniquely Afro-American tale of innovation and triumph despite the odds; the story of an underdog with a bite!The Rediscovery of George "Nash" Walker is the first biography dedicated to the life and cultural contributions of this actor, writer, and producer who revolutionized Black American theatre during the early twentieth century. In 1892, Walker left his hometown with a medicine show and quickly formed a partnership with comedian Bert Williams that would last nearly eighteen years. Under the moniker of "The Two Real Coons," Williams and Walker used their comedy to erode the stereotyped White image of minstrel-style "cooning." Their theatrical company produced many popular plays, including Clorindy/A Lucky Coon (1899-1900), Policy Players (1900-1901), Sons of Ham (1901-1902), In Dahomey (1902-1905), Abyssinia (1905-1906), Bandanna Land (1907-1909), and Mr. Lode of Koal (1909-1910), even performing on Broadway and abroad. An activist at heart, Walker insisted that audiences receive carefully curated Black entertainment, told from a uniquely Afro-American perspective. Unfortunately, Walker contracted syphilis and was forced to retire in 1909, marking the end of the first golden age of Black theatre. Despite his landmark contributions, Walker's story has been largely forgotten. Drawing on archival resources, newspaper accounts, memoirs, oral histories, and manifestos written by Walker, this book celebrates the accomplishments of the vanguard generation of Black artists who were active between the close of the Civil War and the start of World War I.

Seller Inventory # LU-9798855803181

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Rediscovery of George "Nash" Walker
• Publisher: State University of New York Press, US
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798855803181
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 590 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The first biography of George Walker, a uniquely Afro-American tale of innovation and triumph despite the odds; the story of an underdog with a bite!

Finalist for the 2025 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award in the Performing Arts & Music category

The Rediscovery of George "Nash" Walker is the first biography dedicated to the life and cultural contributions of this actor, writer, and producer who revolutionized Black American theatre during the early twentieth century. In 1892, Walker left his hometown with a medicine show and quickly formed a partnership with comedian Bert Williams that would last nearly eighteen years. Under the moniker of "The Two Real Coons," Williams and Walker used their comedy to erode the stereotyped White image of minstrel-style "cooning." Their theatrical company produced many popular plays, including Clorindy/A Lucky Coon (1899–1900), Policy Players (1900–1901), Sons of Ham (1901–1902), In Dahomey (1902–1905), Abyssinia (1905–1906), Bandanna Land (1907–1909), and Mr. Lode of Koal (1909–1910), even performing on Broadway and abroad. An activist at heart, Walker insisted that audiences receive carefully curated Black entertainment, told from a uniquely Afro-American perspective. Unfortunately, Walker contracted syphilis and was forced to retire in 1909, marking the end of the first golden age of Black theatre. Despite his landmark contributions, Walker's story has been largely forgotten. Drawing on archival resources, newspaper accounts, memoirs, oral histories, and manifestos written by Walker, this book celebrates the accomplishments of the vanguard generation of Black artists who were active between the close of the Civil War and the start of World War I.

About the Author

Daniel E. Atkinson is an independent scholar who earned his doctorate in ethnomusicology from the University of Washington where he specialized in Afro-American music and culture.