Description
Kyra Markham (born Elaine Hyman, 1891–1967) was an actress, figurative painter and printmaker. She worked for the Federal Arts Project, creating works of social realism that documented American life in the 1930s. During World War II, her art was focused on the propaganda effort against the Nazis.
Markham was born Elaine Hyman in Chicago, Illinois. She studied drawing at the Chicago Art Institute from 1907 to 1909, and subsequently worked as a muralist and printmaker. In addition to her work as an artist, Markham was an accomplished actress. She appeared with the Chicago Little Theater from 1909 to the 1920s, with the Provincetown Players from 1916, and in movies in Los Angeles.
Kyra Markham lived in Haiti for several years in the 1940s. She became involved in the Haitian cultural scene, participating in exhibitions and collaborating with local artists. Markham is known for her paintings, which often depicted scenes of daily life in Haiti and celebrated the country’s vibrant culture. She also illustrated Roumain’s novel “Gouverneurs de la Rosée” (Masters of the Dew) which is considered a classic of Haitian literature. After Roumain’s death, Markham returned to the United States and continued her artistic career.
Markham’s artistic career began to gain momentum during the 1930s, regularly winning prizes for her lithographic work. In recognition of her work, Markham received the prestigious Mary S. Collins Prize at the Philadelphia Print Club’s annual exhibition for her lithograph Elin and Maria (1934). From 1935 to 1937, she worked in the Graphic Arts Division for the Federal Arts Project, a New Deal program designed to provide employment for artists during the Depression.
During World War II, Markham created propaganda satirizing the Nazis and promoting patriotism at home. Markham died in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1967.
**A Short History of King Henry Christophe of Haiti**
Henry Christophe (1767–1820) was a key figure in Haiti’s fight for independence and its early post-revolutionary history. Born in Grenada or Saint Kitts (sources vary), Christophe was brought to Haiti as a young man and rose through the ranks to become a respected military leader during the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804).
Christophe played a significant role under Toussaint Louverture and later Jean-Jacques Dessalines in defeating French forces, culminating in Haiti becoming the first independent Black republic in 1804. After Dessalines’ assassination in 1806, Haiti was divided into two regions: the southern Republic of Haiti, led by Alexandre Pétion, and the northern Kingdom of Haiti, where Christophe established himself as ruler.
In 1811, Christophe declared himself King Henry I of the Kingdom of Haiti. He built a monarchy modeled on European traditions, establishing a court and bestowing titles of nobility. He also embarked on an ambitious program of construction, building the Citadelle Laferrière, a massive fortress symbolizing Haiti’s strength and independence, and the Sans-Souci Palace, a royal residence.
Christophe’s reign was marked by both visionary leadership and authoritarian control. He promoted agricultural reforms and sought to stabilize Haiti’s economy, but his strict labor policies led to dissatisfaction among the population. In 1820, facing a revolt and suffering from a stroke, Christophe took his own life rather than be captured.
Despite his controversial legacy, Henry Christophe remains a symbol of resilience and innovation, and his architectural achievements are celebrated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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