Ralph Ellison's literary career began in 1937 with the publication of his review of Waters Edward Turpin's These Low Grounds. Over the next 15 years he published 10 short stories and 37 essays on literary, cultural, and political topics. But when Invisible Man was published in 1952, Ellison received immediate acclaim from a wide variety of critics, scholars, and novelists. While his novel emerged as a major work of African American literature, it also engaged the European literary tradition and influenced an entire generation of post-World War II writers. Ellison is now one of the most studied African American writers, and the posthumous publication of his second novel, Juneteenth, in 1999 has drawn even more attention to his contribution.

Through previously published reviews and essays, and original material, this book charts the response to Ellison's writings. While the bulk of the volume focuses on Invisible Man, the book also includes sections devoted to Ellison's short fiction and nonfiction, as well as posthumous estimates of his work. A chronology highlights the most important events in his life and career, while an introductory essay overviews the broad trends in Ellison scholarship. The volume concludes with a selected bibliography of primary and secondary works.