James T. Franklin

James Thomas Franklin was an African American poet who was active between the years of 1890 and 1900. His collection of verse, Mid-day Gleanings: A Book for Home and Holiday Reading (Tracy Printing & Stationery Company), was published in 1893 in Memphis. Franklin, after being asked to contribute to the department of Negro literature at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle, or the Paris Exposition, self-published Jessamine Poems. He cited this collection of verse as having been taken from a larger work that, due to his poor financial status, he was unable to print. In addition to his poetry, Franklin also wrote one play, Retribution (1898), a comedic romp in three acts.