James Amos Porter

An art historian and painter, James Amos Porter taught at Howard University, where he headed the Art Department and served as Gallery Director. There he taught generations of African American artists. His books, essays, and courses highlighted understudied artists of African descent in the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America. His book Modern Negro Art, first published in 1943, presented the first comprehensive study of art by African American artists. Revised and reissued in 1969 Porter's book served as the basis for many subsequent studies.

Early in his career, Porter published illustrations in the Black press.