A Social Study — W.E.B. Du Bois, Paris Exposition, 1900
In 1900, W.E.B. Du Bois presented 63 hand-drawn data visualisations at the Paris World Fair. Using bold colours and innovative chart forms, he told the story of Black Americans just 35 years after emancipation.
ASSESSED VALUE OF PROPERTY OWNED BY BLACK GEORGIANS
Property Value Growth
389%
↑1875–1899
Literacy Rate by 1900
57%
↑from 5% in 1860
Black Georgians in 1900
1.2M
↑+47% since 1870
Du Bois used spiralling bar charts, vivid colour blocks, and flowing line charts — forms that wouldn't become mainstream for another century.
OCCUPATIONS OF BLACK AMERICANS IN GEORGIA
Data as Protest
Hero
Property & Progress
Occupations & Education
Conclusion
W.E.B. Du Bois's 1900 Paris Exposition data visualisations — data as protest
Travis Travis (itztravis)