Langston Hughes

By Mariah Miller12/10/11

2nd

Birth

• February 1, 1902• Joplin, Missouri• Birth name: James Langston Hughes

Early years

• Parents divorced• Taken care of by

grandmother• Took care of her till 13 yrs.

old• Locked inside, didn’t get to

do much (for safety)• Grew up insecure and

mature• Went to Central High

School

• Went to Columbia university– For a year

• Lincoln university

Poetry beginning

• Wrote first poem in 8th grade• On his way to reuniting with his dad– Stayed with for the summer– Caused writing to mature

• Became Class Poet– Published monthly

Achievements/ fields

• Writer/poet/singer• Abolitionist• B.A. degree• Honorary Lit.D.• Guggenheim fellowship• Rosenwald fellowship

Motivation/Inspiration/influences

• Carl Sandburg• W.E.B. Du Bois• Walk Whitman• Paul Lawrence Dunbar• Unstable childhood• To express what he was experiencing

Obstacles In Life

• Feeling rejected, unwanted• Death of grandmother• Didn’t have fathers support• Discrimination in education

Books/poems/magazines

• Crisis magazine• Brownie Book• Opportunity magazine• The weary blues• The without Laughter• Fine clothes to the jews

Jobs throughout the years

• Seaman• Busboy• Launderer• Assistant cook• Poet

• Editor of Journal of a Negro Life

• Social activist• Columnist• Playwright• Novelist

Important keys

• If it wasn’t for unstable childhood and experiences, his writing wouldn’t of been what it is

• Quickly adjusted to Harlem renaissance• He’s gay

Harlem Renaissance

• Distinct culture of it• Incorporated in into writing– Unique writing style made him stand out

• Brought rhythm of jazz

Love Life

Death

• Died May 22, 1967• Of prostate and heart infection• In New York• Age 65

Sources/Sites

• “Langston Hughes Poet of the Harlem Renaissance”

• http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83• http://www.redhotjazz.com/hughes.html• http://www.kansasheritage.org/crossingboun

daries/page6e1.html• http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/lan

gston_hughes• “I Wonder as I Wander”• http://lifeoflangstonhughes.blogspot.com/