Biography Langston Hughes
- Time Period -
- PlaceMissouri
- CountryUnited States
Poet Biography
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston (brother of John Mercer Langston, the first Black American to be elected to public office). He attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he began writing poetry in the eighth grade. His father would discourage him from pursuing writing as a career, in favour of something 'more practical'. Langston's tuition fees to Columbia University were paid on the grounds that he study engineering. After a while, he dropped out of the degree course, but continued to write poetry. His first published poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, was also one of his most famous, appearing in Brownie's Book. Later, his poems, short plays, essays and short stories would appear in the NAACP publication, Crisis Magazine, in Opportunity Magazine, and others. One of Hughes' most acclaimed essays appeared in the Nation in , entitled "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain". It spoke of Black writers and poets, "who would surrender racial pride in the name of a false integration," whereJames Langston Hughes wasn’t just a poet—he was a storyteller of the soul, a man who turned the rhythm of Harlem’s jazz clubs and the ache of everyday struggles into verses that still resonate today. Born in in Joplin, Missouri, Hughes carried the legacy of his ancestors, including Charles Henry Langston, a trailblazer for Black freedom and education. But young Langston’s path wasn’t paved with poetry—at least not in his father’s eyes.
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Langston Hughes Biography
Table of Contents
A Rebel With a Rhyme
Hughes’ father wanted him to study engineering, something “practical.” So, begrudgingly, Langston enrolled at Columbia University. But the call of words was too loud. He dropped out, wandered odd jobs, and let life fuel his pen. At just 17, he wrote “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” a poem steeped in the ancient pulse of Black history. Published in , it became his anthem: “My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”
The Mountain of Racial Pride
Hughes didn’t just write—he challenged. In , his fiery essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” shook the literary world. He called out Black artists who hid their h
Langston Hughes | Biography
Langston Hughes was a prominent American poet and writer, known for his impactful contributions to the Harlem Renaissance and exploration of the African American experience through his works.
Who is Langston Hughes?
Langston Hughes was a seminal figure in American literature, often celebrated as a leading voice of the Harlem Renaissance. Born James Mercer Langston Hughes around February 1, , in Joplin, Missouri, he rose to fame after his first poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," was published in His work is deeply rooted in the African American experience, reflecting the struggles and joys of Black life in the early 20th century. Hughes was one of the first Black Americans to pursue a writing career full-time, crafting hundreds of poems, plays, essays, and novels throughout his life, which cemented his legacy in American culture.
Hughes's poetry is notable for its use of jazz rhythms and dialects, which brought the vibrancy of African American oral traditions to life on the page. Among his most famous works are poems like "I, Too," "Dreams," and "Harlem," which explore
Langston Hughes
Who Was Langston Hughes?
Poet and writer Langston Hughes became a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance after his first poem was published in His first book of poetry followed five years later, in One of the first Black Americans to earn a living as a writer, Hughes went on to compose many more works of poetry, prose, and plays that center the 20th century African American experience and remain influential today. Some of his most famous poems are “Dreams,” “I, Too,” and “Harlem.” Additionally, he wrote a popular column for the Chicago Defender. In May , Hughes died in his mids from prostate cancer.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: James Mercer Langston Hughes
BORN: c. February 1,
DIED: May 22,
BIRTHPLACE: Joplin, Missouri
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aquarius
Early Life
James Mercer Langston Hughes, better known as Langston Hughes, was born in Joplin, Missouri. His birth date—likely February 1, —is the subject of some debate. For decades, scholars believed his birthday was February 1, , but archived newspaper evidence found in suggests Hughes was born one year earlier.
Whatever the year, his parents, James Hughes and Carrie Langston, separated soon after his bi
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