About the Author

VICTOR SEJOUR (1817-74), a Creole "free person of color" was born in Louisiana and made his career as a playwright in France. Only one of his plays, The Brown Overcoat, has been previously translated into English. Norman R. Shapiro is one of the most renowned French translators, esp. of 19th century French plays and poetry. He was recently decorated by the French government for his contributions to French literature. He has also translated Sejour's play : The Fortune Teller, also available through Second Line press. M. Lynn Weiss is an associate professor of American Studies at William and Mary College and has collaborated with Norman Shapiro on a number of Creole French titles.