Arna Wendell Bontemps was an influential American poet, novelist, and librarian, and a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He is best known for his works that explore the African American experience and heritage. Throughout his career, he wrote several novels, children's books, and collections of poetry, including the acclaimed novel Black Thunder. As a librarian at Fisk University, he also worked to preserve and archive African American cultural history for future generations.