The official site of William Loren Katz and Black Indians

William Loren Katz (June 2, 1927 – October 25, 2019) had a rich, prolific life dedicated to exposing important parts of American history not included in textbooks. He wrote forty books revealing the authentic stories of African Americans, Native Americans and other notable historic groups including Black Indians, The Black West, Breaking the Chains: African American slave resistance, and Black Legacy: A history of New York’s African Americans. There are new editions of The Black West (2018), Breaking the Chains: African American Slave Resistance (December 2023), and Black Legacy (February 2026).

Great News: New Edition of the Black West!

The Black West

Inspired by a conversation William Loren Katz had with Langston Hughes, The Black West presents long-neglected stories of daring pioneers such as Nat Love (Deadwood Dick) and Mary Fields (Stagecoach Mary). New Edition published in 2019.

3 New Editions of His Books Are Coming Out Soon!

Breaking the Chains

The sturdy offspring of Black-Indian marriages shaped the early days of the fur trade, added a new dimension to frontier diplomacy, and made a daring contribution to the fight for American liberty. New edition from Seven Stories Press coming out in December 2023.

Black Legacy: A History of New York’s African Americans

This book traces New York City’s Black legacy from Dutch Governor Peter Minuit to Mayor David Dinkins and reveals how people of color built today’s New York while they fought to end slavery and discrimination. New, updated edition expected to be published by Seven Stories Press in 2024.

The William Loren Katz Collection

In 2024, the papers and manuscripts of William Loren Katz will be brought to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. His collection will be accessible to the public in their reading room. All you need to do is make an appointment, and you will be able to review his material and have a window into his sources and research approach.

Last update: August 19, 2023
William Loren Katz was the author of Black Indians, The Black West, Breaking the Chains and 37 other books. He is most well known for his research and writing on African American history. His research, writing and lectures have earned widespread praise from noted scholars such as John Hope Franklin, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., John Henrik Clarke, Howard Zinn, James M. McPherson, Alice Walker, Cornel West, Ivan Van Sertima, Betty Shabazz and Dr. Ralph Bunche.

His life was celebrated at a small memorial service on January 11, 2020 at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. The following quotes are excerpts from eulogies made at the service.

“I thought William Loren Katz was a black man, like all of those other black historians with Jewish names – Aptheker, Litwack, Levine, and all the Foners. When I finally met Bill in person, I still regarded him as a black historian, my brother from another mother – or better yet, my uncle.” (Robin D. G. Kelley, friend and colleague, Memorial, 1/11/20)

“Katz’s work was crucial for so many to discover that freedom was not given over by the powerful, but rather was fought for. His insistence on the agency of the oppressed, their great and subtle forms of resistance, has influenced the generations since his work came out.” (Jesse Shipley, friend and colleague, Memorial, 1/11/2020)

“For many years I called Bill Peter Pan. To me, he was timeless, the friend who filled our long Pennsylvania summers with joy and magic, who like Peter Pan embraced each day with infectious enthusiasm and who reinforced the simple truth that the most ordinary things can become extraordinary.” (Chris Lewis, friend, Memorial, 1/11/20)

“They say we honor our loved ones the most by living as they themselves wished to live. May we honor my father’s memory by continuing the struggle. . . for what he believed in so profoundly; for justice, for equality, for freedom from oppression, for human dignity.” (Naomi Katz, daughter, Memorial, 1/11/2020)

“He was a true mentor for me (as is Grandma Laurie). As my questions and decisions grew more difficult, Grandpa would provide wisdom, thoughtfulness, and this ability to dig deeper with me. He offered me perspective that would help me to uncover my own truths. He had a way of seeing things in a person that he loved and empowering him or her to achieve what he knew they could.” (Maya Katz-Ali, granddaughter, Memorial, 1/11/2020)

“He was always kind and caring and took good care of me during times of great sadness in my life. He introduced me to my late husband, Thorne Shipley, who was a high school friend of his and again, he and Laurie were a great support after Thorne’s death.” (Virginia Shipley, friend, Memorial, 1/11/2020)