Harlem Renaissance writer and poet, Langston Hughes, was one of the more notable writers during this time. Known for his portrayal of black life in his work, Hughes' success was partly due to his ability to effectively capture the essence of the black experience.
Langston Hughes’ Early Life
Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri. Hughes’ parents separated when he was a young child. The unfortunate circumstance led him to Lawrence, Kansas where he lived with his grandmother until she died when he was thirteen years old. After her passing, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio to live with his mother.
Hughes Embarks Upon a Burgeoning Writing Career
Hughes returned to the United States in 1924 during the height of the Harlem Renaissance. He moved to Washington, D.C. and secured a job as a busboy at a hotel. Hughes again returned to writing. With the extensive creation of great literature from other black authors, Hughes also encountered success with his writings during this time. In 1925, he won a poetry prize from Opportunity magazine. Additionally, in 1926, his first book The Weary Blues was published. His other publications during the Renaissance included Fine Clothes to the Jew (1927) and Not Without Laughter (1930), which won the Harmon gold medal award for literature.
The publication of Hughes' work received positive reviews. With his success in writing, he decided to return to college. He enrolled at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and received a scholarship that helped defray the cost of tuition. In 1929, he received his bachelor degree.
Langston Hughes’ Work
Many of Hughes’ writings reflected his outlook on the world. For instance, during the depression his work mirrored his socialist attitude and during World War II some of his literature was patriotic in its tone. He also explored segregation, the life of ordinary blacks, and black culture. It was not uncommon for Hughes’ inspiration to come while sitting in jazz clubs listening music; a good deal of his work was influenced by jazz.
Hughes wrote poetry, short stories, novels, plays, children’s books, and magazine articles. His work includes The Dream Keeper (1932), The Big Sea (1940), Shakespeare in Harlem (1942), Fields of Wonder (1947), The Poetry of the Negro (1949), Montage of a Dream Deferred (1951), I Wonder as I Wander (1956), Tambourines to Glory (1958), and The Book of Negro Folklore (1958).
Hughes died of cancer on May 22, 1967. His home, located at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem, was declared a landmark by the New York City Preservation Commission.
