Richard Wright Release

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The late writer is best known for his works about racism in America, such as "Native Son" and "Black Boy." He also worked for the Chicago Post Office from 1927-30 as a letter sorter. He died in 1960 at the age of 52.

Artwork for the 61-cent, first-class, 2-ounce stamp, created by Kadir Nelson of San Diego, features a portrait of Wright in front of snow-swept tenements on the South Side of Chicago, a scene that recalls the setting of "Native Son," the Postal Service said in a news release. Nelson's portrait of Wright was based on a photograph taken around 1945. Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, Calif., was the stamp designer.

"This nation experienced a historical event in our most recent presidential election," U.S. Postal Service Chicago District/Postmaster Gloria Tyson said in a statement. "It was an event Richard Wright helped to bring about with his often controversial writings; writings of a world view on humanity and politics that were far too forward-thinking for his own generation; writings full of anger, frustration and indignation stemming from his early life experiences being poor and black in America; writings that appealed to -- and appalled -- both whites and blacks; writings that eventually helped to direct a change in how America addressed and discussed race relations."