Author langston hughes biography video

American writer and social activist (1901–1967)

For other uses, see Langston Hughes (disambiguation).

James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901^[1] – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri.

One of the earliest innovators of the literary form called jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Growing up in the Midwest, Hughes became a prolific writer at an early age. He moved to New York City as a young man, where he made his career.

Author langston hughes biography video

He studied at Columbia University in New York City. Although he dropped out, he gained notice from New York publishers, first in The Crisis magazine and then from book publishers, and became known in the creative community in Harlem.

His first poetry collection, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926. Hughes eventually graduated from Lincoln University.

In addition to poetry, Hughes wrote plays and published sh