Bosworth’s ‘Christ the Healer’ found in Maya Angelou’s personal library
Photo shared by Bishop Paul Francis Lanier
By Roscoe Barnes III, PhD
Author, F.F. Bosworth: The Man Behind “Christ the Healer”
Copyright © 2023
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#BosworthMatters
Like millions of people before her, Maya Angelou was probably a reader of F.F. Bosworth. According to a 2015 post on Facebook, his book, “Christ the Healer,” was found in her personal library following her death on May 28, 2014, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Bishop Paul Francis Lanier of Hope Community Church, Winston-Salem, shared this news on Sept. 9, 2015. He wrote:
“Following service a precious member of many years and dear friend presented me an amazing gift …. It was a copy of F.F. Bosworth’s “Christ the Healer.” Of course, I love this book. Even more special, when I opened it I discovered that it came from the personal library of Maya Angelou. Many of Dr. Angelou’s things were sold recently at an auction. I just think it is the coolest thing that she had Brother Bosworth’s book, and that someone thought of me when they saw it. So blessed. So very blessed.”
Lanier graciously shared images of the book, including one with a yellow sticker attached (inside the front cover) with the words: “This Book is from the Library of Maya Angelou.”
Friends of Lanier quickly responded with congratulatory comments. “Wow .. doubly cool,” replied Donna Schambach. One friend shared, “What a treasure to your heart.” Another wrote: “My copy stays on my desk. I refer to it often. No words can explain the Power of God that was present with F.F. Bosworth as it was written!”
“I have that great book!,” posted one friend. “Surprised that Maya Angelou also had it!”
While we don’t know if Angelou actually read the book, we are certain that it was inside her home. Given her love of books and her voracious appetite for reading, there’s a good chance that she did indeed read Bosworth’s book. Even so, it would be interesting to know how she acquired the book and what she thought of it.
Just over a year after her death, Laster’s Fine Art & Antiques hosted an estate sale at her house in Winston-Salem. Through that sale, people acquired her furniture, artworks, and books, among other things.
See more here: https://ffbosworth.mystrikingly.com/blog/bosworth-s-christ-the-healer-found-in-maya-angelou-s-personal-library
