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Langston Hughes Facts

Langston Hughes Facts
Langston Hughes was an American writer who became well-known for being an early innovator of jazz poetry and leader of the Harlem Renaissance in New York City. He was born Jams Mercer Langston Hughes on February 1, 1901 in Joplin, Missouri, to Caroline and James Nathaniel Hughes. Langston grew up in various small towns in the Midwest. His father soon left and divorced his mother, and his mother began to travel, leaving Langston to be raised by his maternal grandmother until her death. He then went to live with family friends before living with his mother again. Langston began writing when he was young and was elected class poet while in grammar school. He wrote for the school newspaper and yearbook ad began to write poetry and short stories. He went on to attend Columbia University but dropped out because of racial prejudice.
Interesting Langston Hughes Facts:
Langston's father wanted him to pursue engineering which he did at Columbia University before dropping out.
After leaving Columbia Langston Hughes traveled through Europe and Africa.
Upon his return to the United States, Langston earned his BA in English from Lincoln University. One of his classmates was future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Langston Hughes wrote a play that opened on Broadway in 1935, titled Mulatto.
During the McCarthyism era Langston Hughes was detained for questioning because of his fascination with Communism which he developed during his trips to the Soviet Union.
Langston Hughes most famous poem was 'Negro Speaks of Rivers' which he wrote in high school. His epitaph came from this poem - 'my soul has grown deep as the rivers'.
Langston Hughes autobiography titles The Big Sea was published when he was 28 years old.
Langston Hughes lived at East 127th Street in Harlem, which has since become a national registered landmark.
Langston Hughes work as a writer included novels, columns, plays, poetry, and jazz poetry.
Both of Langston Hughes great grandfathers lived in Kentucky and were white slave owners. Both of his paternal great grandmothers were enslaved African Americans.
Langston Hughes first jazz poem was When Sue Wears Red, which he wrote while still in high school.
Langston Hughes first poetry collection was published in 1926, titled The Weary Blues.
Langston Hughes first novel was published in 1930 titled Without Laughter.
Langston Hughes first short story collection was published in 1934, titled The Ways of White Folks. It is still considered to be one of his best works.
Langston Hughes became involved in the Harlem Renaissance from the time he attended Columbia University.
Langston worked for the Chicago Defender for 20 years as a columnist.
Langston worked as a newspaper correspondent in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War.
Langston Hughes never married and never had any children. He remained a resident of Harlem in New York City for most of his life.
Langston Hughes was awarded several honorary degrees from various universities.
Following Langston's death the City College of New York created the Langston Hughes Medal for African American writers.
Langston Hughes died at the age of 65 after prostate cancer surgery complications.


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