Henry Dumas

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Henry Dumas (July 20, 1934 – May 23, 1968) was an African American writer and poet.

Born in Sweet Home, Arkansas, he was influenced by jazz, studying with Sun Ra during the mid-1960s, and in turn influenced jazz musicians. For example, his poem Black Paladins became the title track for a recording by Joseph Jarman and Famoudou Don Moye.

He was shot and killed, at the age of 33, by a New York City Transit Authority Police Officer at 125th Street Station, in a case of "mistaken identity."

• Modern American Poetry material