Victor Hugo Green, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Victor Hugo Green

African American travel writer

Date of Birth: 09-Nov-1892

Place of Birth: Manhattan, New York, United States

Date of Death: 16-Oct-1960

Profession: writer, mail carrier, travel agent

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Victor Hugo Green (November 9, 1892 – October 16, 1960) was an African American postal employee and travel writer from Harlem, New York City, best known for developing and writing what became known as The Green Book, a travel guide for African Americans in the United States.
During the time the book was published, choices of lodging, restaurants and even gas stations were limited for black people in many places, both in the South and outside it.
It was first published as The Negro Motorist Green Book and later as The Negro Travelers' Green Book.
The books were published from 1936 to 1966.
Green reviewed hotels and restaurants that did business with African Americans during the time of Jim Crow laws and racial segregation in the United States.
He printed 15,000 copies each year. In the 1930s, Green began his work by compiling data on stores and motels and gas stations in New York City area that welcomed black travelers, and published his first guide in 1936.
Similar guides had been published for Jewish travelers.
Green's guide was so popular that he immediately began to expand its coverage the next year to other US destinations, adding hotels and restaurants as well.
After retiring from the Postal Service, Green continued to work on updating issues of The Green Book.
In addition, he developed the related travel agency business he had established in 1947.