Fred Wasser

Fred Wasser is a freelance arts and culture journalist, based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

As a journalist Fred enjoys blending arts, entertainment, and cultural history - especially in ways that explore how people express themselves creatively.For many years, Fred was on the Washington, DC staff of NPR's Morning Edition, Weekend Edition/Sunday, and Weekend All Things Considered where he produced features and interviews on a wide range of topics. He’s now an independent broadcast and print arts & culture journalist based in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, North Carolina.On the weekend, Fred hosts Breathing Room — a radio program of popular standards and jazz. A listener to the program is likely to hear Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mercer, Blossom Dearie and Diana Krall. They're among his favorites.

An engraving of William Wells Brown in London. This was published in his book, "Three Years in Europe." No photo of Brown has ever been found.

William Wells Brown may be the most famous 19th century African American writer you’ve never heard of

November 14, 2014Books

William Wells Brown was one of the most prominent African American writers in the 19th century. But many people now don’t know who he is.