This early work by Charles W. Chesnutt was originally published in 1901. Charles Waddell Chesnutt was born to freed African-American parents in Cleveland, Ohio, USA in 1858. After having published numerous short stories in journals and magazines, he finally produced a collection, The Conjure Woman, in 1899. It was well received and subsequently set the tone for a glittering literary career. The Marrow of Tradition is his second novel and the follow up to his most famous work, The House Behind the Cedars. This is a fascinating work, thoroughly recommended for anyone interested in the subject of race in American literary history. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions.