Articles

The True Death of Bessie Smith

Either a "nigger" or a great artist was killed in that car crash. Which one lived?

June 1 1969 Sally Grimes
The True Death of Bessie Smith View Article Pages
Articles
The True Death of Bessie Smith

Either a "nigger" or a great artist was killed in that car crash. Which one lived?

June 1 1969 Sally Grimes

Get instant access to 85+ years of Esquire. Subscribe Now! Exclusive & Unlimited access to Esquire Classic - The Official Esquire Archive

  • Every issue Esquire has ever published, since 1933
  • Every timeless feature, profile, interview, novella - even the ads!
  • 85+ Years of outstanding fiction from world-renowned authors
  • More than 150,000 Images — beautiful High-Resolution photography, zoom into every page
  • Unlimited Search and Browse
  • Bookmark all your favorites into custom Collections
  • Enjoy on Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile
JUNE 1969 | Esquire View Full Issue

More From This Issue

Unlock every article Esquire has ever published. Subscribe Now! Exclusive & Unlimited access to every timeless profile, interview, short story, feature, advertisement, and much more!

More From This Issue

Features

Articles