Gerald Lyn Early is a renowned American essayist and cultural critic who has made significant contributions to various documentary films produced by Ken Burns. His expertise has been featured in notable documentaries such as Baseball, Jazz, Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson, The War, and Muhammad Ali.
As the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters, English, African Studies, African-American Studies, American Culture Studies, and Director of the Center for Joint Projects in the Humanities and Social Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Early has established himself as a prominent scholar in his field.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Early is a regular commentator on National Public Radio's Fresh Air, and his essays have been published in numerous editions of the Best American Essays series. His writing expertise spans a wide range of topics, including American literature, the Korean War, African-American culture, Afro-American autobiography, non-fiction prose, baseball, jazz, prizefighting, Motown, Miles Davis, Muhammad Ali, and Sammy Davis Jr.
As a prolific writer, Early's work has been widely recognized and respected for its depth and breadth of knowledge on a variety of subjects. His expertise has made him a sought-after commentator and essayist, and his contributions to the fields of American culture, literature, and history are invaluable.
