Introduction
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet and political activist who is attributed to being one of the major writers in the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was an artistic movement that started in the 1920s, that celebrated black life and culture.
Coming from a long lineage of politically active individuals it was inevitable that Langston would use his gift of writing to help change the world. Langston Hughes used his personal experiences of growing up in different parts of the Midwest and an unorthodox childhood as a driving force for his poetry. The topic of his poems ranged a variety of political and social topics that were used to explain outcry against racial injustice and promoted equality (americaslibrary.gov). Throughout his work, he was able to help shed light on black culture, humor, and spirituality but also describe the black experience in America. With his long-lasting legacy, Langston Hughes has played an important role in the advancement of black culture and civil rights. Background Information
Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri and was the second son of James Nathaniel Hughes and Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes. Langston Hughes was the only child of his parent’s marriage, since two years before he was born his older sibling had died as an infant. His parent’s marriage was controversial for the time period since his mother was born to a politically powerful and educated African American family at
Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes creative intellect was influenced by his life in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. Hughes had a very strong sense of racial pride. Through his works he promoted racial equality and celebrated the African American culture. It was in Lincoln, Illinois that Hughes started to write his poetry. In November 1924, he moved to Washington D.C. where he published his first book of poetry. Hughes is known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America. Langston is also known for his commitment to jazz. Hughes refused to distinguish between his personal and common understandings of black America. He
The well known poet Langston Hughes was an inspiring character during the Harlem Renaissance to provide a push for the black communities to fight for the rights they deserved. Hughes wrote his poetry to deliver important messages and provide support to the movements. When he was at a young age a teacher introduced him to poets Carl Sandburg and Walt Whitman, and they inspired him to start his own. Being a “darker brother,” as he called blacks, he experienced and wanted his rights, and that inspired him. Although literary critics felt that Langston Hughes portrayed an unattractive view of black life, the poems demonstrate reality. Hughes used the Blues and Jazz to add effect to his work as well as his extravagant word use and literary
Many writers develop a certain theme they tend to gravitate towards in their work. Sometimes this development is intentional, and sometimes it is not intentional. Langston Hughes was a writer during the 1920’s, which was also during the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes was known as an advocate for the civil rights movement up until his death. Most of his involvement in civil rights came from his poetry, where he wrote about racial treatment and the affects it had on African Americans’ lives.
Langston Hughes was one of the first black men to express the spirit of blues and jazz
Langston Hughes was an American poet, community worker, author, playwright, newspaper man, and inspiration from Joplin, Missouri. He was a protégé for many African Americans, despite the times he lived in.
Langston Hughes was born on February 2, 1902 in Joplin Missouri, and died on May 22, 1967 in New York, New York. Hughes' African American themes helped to contribute to the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, where he was a leader. He attended Columbia University and Lincoln University, published his first poem in 1921 and his first book in 1926. Hughes was a poet, playwright, novelist, and more.
Langston Hughes was someone who never gave up on his dream. He was an African-American born in Missouri in 1902. He received his education at Columbia University and later went on to go to Lincoln University. Although he is most well known for being a poet, he held a variety of other jobs ranging from a busboy to a columnist in his early years. In the 1920s America entered the Harlem Renaissance, a time of appreciation for black heritage. It was at this point in history that he became an important writer. The reason he was so important to this time in history is because his writing, “offers a transcription of urban life through a portrayals of the speech habits attitudes and feelings of an oppressed people. The poems do more, however, than
James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up mainly in Lawrence, Kansas but also lived in Illinois, Ohio and Mexico. Constantly having to travel he wrote his poem that would make him famous, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. Having different expectations his parents slit up resulting in him living with his maternal grandmother.
James Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. His parents divorced when he was very small, and his father (who found American racism made his desires to be a lawyer impossible) left the family and emigrated to Mexico. Hughes' mother moved with her child to Lawrence, Kansas, so she and he could live with his grandmother, Mary Langston.
Langston Hughes is regarded as one of the most significant American authors of the twentieth century. Foremost a poet, he was the first African-American to earn a living solely from his writings after he became established. Over a forty-year career beginning in the 1920s until his death in 1967, Hughes produced poetry, plays, novels, and a variety of nonfiction. He is perhaps best known for his creation of the fictional character, Jesse B. Semple, which first appeared in a Chicago Defender newspaper column in 1943. Hughes’ writings focused mainly on the lives of plain black people and show their beauty, wisdom, and strength to overcome social and economic injustice.
“James Mercer Langston Hughes, known as Langston Hughes was born February 2, 1902 in Missouri, to Carrie Hughes and James Hughes.” Years later his parents separated. Langston’s father moved to Mexico and became very successful, as his for mother, she moved frequently to find better jobs. As a child growing up Langston spent most of his childhood living with his grandmother named Mary Langston in Lawrence, Kansas. Mary Langston was a learned women and a participant in the civil rights Movement. When Langston Hughes was 12 years old his grandmother passed away. Langston then moved in with his mother and stepfather Homer Clark. A few months later, Langston’s mother sent him to live with her mother’s friend “Auntie” and Mr. Reed. In 1915
Langston Hughes was an African American poet who wrote poems like “Dreams”and “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. He was born in Joplin MO at February 1 1902 and he died at May 22 1967 he was 65 years old when he died .
James Mercer Langston Hughes was a Missouri born poet who played a significant role in the cultural movement publicly known as the Harlem renaissance. Hughes was known for his intelligent and happy portrayals of black people living in America. This can be seen throughout his many poems including his most influential one called the "The weary blues."
Langston Hughes was an African American author and poet. He was one of the most recognized African American literary figures. His writing compares poetry, fiction, short stories, and autobiographies. All of Hughes's writings are about an African American in America.
Credited as being the most recognizable figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes played a vital role in the Modernist literary movement and the movement to revitalize African American culture in the early 20th century. Hughes’s poems reflect his personal struggle and the collective struggle of African Americans during this cultural revival.