Charles Edgar Patience, the grandson of the runaway  slave Crowder Patience, who became a Union veteran, was an African American anthracite coal sculptor in northeastern Pennsylvania. Having been taught the skills of coal carving by his father who once had been a breaker boy at a local colliery and later a successful entrepreneur, Edgar took the art to a higher level and fulfilled his aspirations of becoming a recognized sculptor.
 

His unique work was described in March 1970 issue of Ebony magazine as “the world’s most unique sculptor.” In 1972 he was listed in Who’s Who in America. Unfortunately, just as his star was rising, he died from the curse of miners, black lung disease. Even though he had never been a miner, the coal dust he had been inhaling throughout his sixty-five years damaged his lungs.