The Original Black Elite

Daniel Murray and the Story of a Forgotten Era

By: Elizabeth Dowling Taylor

Narrated by: Karen Chilton

From New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Dowling Taylor comes this riveting chronicle of a critical yet overlooked chapter in American history: the inspiring rise and calculated fall of the Black elite, from Emancipation through Reconstruction to the Jim Crow Era - embodied in the experiences of an influential figure of the time, academic, entrepreneur, and political activist and Black history pioneer Daniel Murray.

This cultural biography tells the enthralling story of the high-achieving Black elites who thrived in the nation's capital during Reconstruction. Daniel Murray (1851-1925), an assistant librarian at the Library of Congress, was a prominent member of this glorious class. Murray's life was reflective of those who were well-off at the time.

This social circle included African American educators, ministers, lawyers, doctors, entrepreneurs, US senators and representatives, and other government officials. Among the luminaries were Francis and Archibald Grimke, Blanche Bruce, Pinckney Pinchback, Robert and Mary Church Terrell, Booker T. Washington, and W. E. B. DuBois.

The elite were primed to assimilate into the cultural fabric as Americans first and people of color second. Education was a pearl of great pride, and they sent their children to the best schools - Phillips Academy, Cornell, and Harvard. They belonged to exclusive clubs, cultivated genteel manners, owned opulent homes, threw elaborate parties, dressed to the nines, and summered in special enclaves.

The rug was pulled from under all African Americans when they were betrayed by the federal government as the cost of reconciliation with the South. In response to renewed oppression, Murray and others in his class fought back, establishing themselves as inspiring race activists.

Elizabeth Dowling Taylor's powerful work brings to light a dark chapter of race relations that too many have yet to own.

©2017 Elizabeth Dowling Taylor (P)2018 Recorded Books

Now I Know of Daniel Murray...

It was a very interesting listen. I was not aware of the history of Black Washington, DC and I really enjoyed the narration. I would definitely recommend.

Black Society / Heritage

This was a very in depth and informative book. It is very refreshing to learn about our rich history and heritage. Must read!!!

A beautiful must read of Black people

A beautiful book that’s shares the stories of black people and the history of the creation of traditions, literary works, organizations, legislation, and communities post slavery. A historical guide or potential prediction of the recent 2023 Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs Wade and Affirmative Action. A great read and I’d recommend to anyone.

awesome

excellent story unknown black history is exciting to read. to know that we did more then what is told is the best knowledge I recommend this book to all people

Filing in some holes in our nation’s story

The story relates the struggles of a subset of US society during the rise and shrinking of a portion of our citizenry.

The American Story that not been told

The Original Black Elite is a profound historical story that has been shared and is to be shared with all generations of Americans to show that color is not the default mark for intelligence, class, or ingenuity.
Read and share this book.
Thank you

Excellent Book

This was such an interesting book. I really enjoyed it. This era’s story definitely deserved to be told. I can’t help but wonder, as a Black American, how the race would’ve been catalyzed if Reconstruction wasn’t rolled back.

Very informative read

This was a very informative read on the life of Daniel Murray and provided many valuable insights into the lives and experiences of the black elite. The experiences of the black elite are often overlooked or not considered in history and this book helped bring that perspective to the forefront. Although this book does not cover everything that took place during that time, it does show the varied and changing experiences of wealthy Black individuals over the course of a person's lifetime.

Our History

It was an very interesting read . The aspect of culture and the elegance thereof is longed missed within our culture at this time. The selflessness is also missed.

One of the best read books I've heard...

Karen Chilton has an erudite voice that captures the life of a sophisticated family with élan. The life of one the US Library of Congress' most fascinating men and his journey from success to rekindled racism in the early 20th century is sadly one that resonates today. I was transported and if I were living through that post Civil War period, and felt the tides change in public life in Washington DC in the 60 years that passed after it...exemplified in one life.