Frank G(arvin) Yerby 1916–

Black American novelist and short story writer.

Although Yerby has written about racial themes in such early works as "Health Card" and in more recent works such as The Dahomean, he has been criticized for most of his literary career for failing to reflect the black experience. He answers this criticism by saying, "The novelist hasn't any right to inflict on the public his private ideas on politics, religion, or race. If he wants to preach he should go on the pulpit." Yerby is best known for his costume romances—historical novels characterized by melodramatic plots and fast-paced, often violent, action.

(See also CLC, Vols. 1, 7, and Contemporary Authors, Vols. 9-12, rev. ed.)