It's had tacks in it, Langston Hughes was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance, the flowering of black intellectual, literary, and artistic life that took place in the 1920s in a number of American cities, particularly Harlem. Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

A poet, novelist, fiction writer, and playwright, Langston Hughes is known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties and was important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance. Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. In Hughes’s own words, his poetry is about "workers, roustabouts, and singers, and job hunters on Lenox Avenue in New York, or Seventh Street in Washington or South State in Chicago—people up today and down tomorrow, working this week and fired the next, beaten and baffled, but determined not to be wholly beaten, buying furniture on the installment plan, filling the house with roomers to help pay the rent, … Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. Something went wrong. But it was there then, In front of me,... more » Mother To Son. Useful links. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Langston Hughes(1 February 1902 – 22 May 1967) Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. Harlem BY LANGSTON HUGHES What happens to a dream deferred? Teré Fowler-Chapman: When I got the message to be a part of this blog, and during these times, the honor. Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest and greatest poetry updates.

Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902. Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, so this month marks his 114th birthday. Does it stink like rotten meat? Or fester like a sore— And then run? He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Let it be the pioneer on the plain Seeking a home where he himself is free. He moved to New York City as a young man, where he made his career. 8.7: Langston Hughes, “Let America Be America Again,” 1935 Last updated; Save as PDF Page ID 59595; No headers. ... Get Poetry Analysis to your Inbox. I consent to my submitted data being collected via this form Thank you for subscribing.

Langston Hughes was born in Missouri in 1902, and his parents split shortly after his birth. He was raised by his grandmother until he was twelve, when he moved to Lincoln, Illinois, to live with his mother and her husband.

James Langston Hughes [1902-1967] was born in Joplin, Missouri, USA, the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston (brother of John Mercer Langston, the first Black American to be elected to public office).

He was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, a movement of African-American writers, poets, and musicians that flourished in New York City in the 1920s. Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Let it be the dream it used to be.

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Let it be that great strong land of love Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme That any man be crushed by one above.

Or does it explode? Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri in February of 1901.