Ralph Ellison was a prominent African American writer and intellectual known for his groundbreaking novel "Invisible Man," which was published in 1952. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and the ways in which African Americans are often marginalized and rendered invisible in society.

Ellison's work is considered a seminal piece of African American literature and a classic of American literature as a whole. It won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1953 and has since become a staple in high school and college curricula.

In addition to his writing, Ellison was also a prominent essayist and cultural critic, advocating for the inclusion of African American voices in American literature and pushing back against stereotypes and misconceptions about Black people.

Overall, Ralph Ellison is remembered as a trailblazing figure in Black history who used his talent and platform to shed light on the experiences and struggles of African Americans in a deeply segregated and discriminatory society. His work continues to be celebrated and studied for its profound insights into the complexities of race and identity in America.