Langston Hughes

     James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the- new literary art form called jazz poetry. He is the best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

     Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902. He was born in Joplin, Missouri to Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes and James Nathaniel Hughes. Hughes father left shortly after he was born. He moved to Mexico to try and escape the enduring racism of the United States. For most of Hughes' youth he was raised by his grandmother, Mary. Hughes stated in one of his later works that while he was with his grandmother he felt very lonely and turned mostly to the wonderful world in books.  After his grandmother died Hughes went to live with his mother in Cleveland, Ohio. During this time he was introduced to poetry. In grammar school Langston was elected class poet. Hughes thought it was because of the stereotype that African Americans have rhythm.

     Hughes graduated high school in 1920 and spent the following year in Mexico with his father. Hughes returned to the United States in 1922 to attend Columbus University where he studied briefly and during that time he quickly became a part of the Harlem's burgeoning cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes dropped out in 1922 and two years later lived in Paris for a brief time where he continued to publish poetry.

      In November of 1924 Hughes returned to the United States and met the poet Vachel Lindsay, in a hotel restaurant where he worked as the busboy. He presented his poems to Lindsay and he was so impressed that he used his connections to promote Hughes poetry. Hughes received a scholarship to attend Lincoln University. After graduating in 1929 Hughes published his first novel, Not Without Laughter. His novel received so much attention that he realized that he could make a living by being a writer.

   Hughes died on May 22, 1967 from complications of a prostate cancer. Hughes ashes were interred beneath the entrance of the Authur Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. Hughes work is still being published across the world today.