August Wilson is one of the twentieth century's most important and acclaimed playwrights. This volume demonstrates Wilson's significance to contemporary theatre, culture, and politics by providing fresh and compelling insights into his life, practices, and contributions as an artist and public intellectual. Across four thematically organized sections, contributors situate Wilson's work in his social, cultural and political contexts, examine ongoing developments in Wilson studies, explore the production contexts of his plays, and explicate his dramaturgical sensibilities and strategies. This is the authoritative guide to Wilson's career and artistic legacy for students, theatre practitioners, and general readers interested in this remarkable figure. Chronicling August Wilson's career and legacy, this guide demonstrates his ongoing significance within present-day culture and politics. Khalid Y. Long is the Associate Dean of Research and Creative Endeavors and Associate Professor of Theatre Arts in the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. He is the co-editor of Contemporary Black Theatre and Performance: Acts of Rebellion, Activism, And Solidarity (2023). Isaiah Matthew Wooden is a scholar-artist, writer, and assistant professor of theatre at Swarthmore College. He is the author of Reclaiming Time: Race, Temporality, and Black Expressive Culture (2025) and co-editor of Tarell Alvin McCraney: Theater, Performance, and Collaboration (2020).