Es'kia Mphahlele is one of the doyens of African literature. Throughout Africa, Europe and the United States of America he has played a major role in the development, teaching and promotion of African literature. He has written autobiographies, criticism, works of fiction, poetry, plays and essays. Throughout his career he has brought dynamism, individuality and an unremitting clarity of purpose to African Letters. In a profound sense he has promoted through his own life, his writing and his often-controversial career the dignity of ordinary people and specifically the well-being of black South Africans.