Frantz Fanon (1925-1961) was born in Martinique and studied medicine in France, specializing in psychiatry. Sent to a hospital in Algeria, he found his sympathies turning toward the Algerian Nationalist Movement, which he later joined. He is considered one of the most important theorists of the African struggle for independence and of the psychology of race.

Richard Philcox is the distinguished translator of many works by Caribbean writer Maryse Condé.