About
Langston Hughes, a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, left a lasting mark on American literature through his poetry, novels, plays, and essays. Born in Joplin, Missouri, he published his first poem, 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers,' in 1921. His collection The Weary Blues (1926) and his essay 'The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain' defined the artistic aims of the movement. Hughes explored African American life with an innovative style, incorporating jazz and blues into poetry. He also created the character Jesse B. Semple and wrote plays, autobiographies, and children's books. His work influenced generations of writers.
* 1902-02-01 — † 1967-05-22
Major works
- The Weary Blues (1926)poetry collection
- Not Without Laughter (1930)novel
- The Big Sea (1940)autobiography
- Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951)poetry collection
- The Panther and the Lash (1967)poetry collection
Key milestones
- 1921Published his first poem, 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers,' in The Crisis.
- 1926Published his first poetry collection, The Weary Blues, and the essay 'The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain.'
- 1960Received the NAACP's Spingarn Medal.
Themes
African American experienceJazz and bluesAmerican dreamRacial identity and prideSocial justice
Sources: britannica.com · id.loc.gov · anb.org
