Langston Hughes was an American poet, novelist, and play writer whose African American themes made him a primary contributor to the Harlem Renaissance in 1920. He loved to write poems and wrote many other types of literature as well. Langston Hughes was twentieth century writer. "An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose."(Source 6) Even if you are an artist or not you can still be free and choose what you do or do not. We should not be afraid and let anything get in our way. James Mercer Langston Hughes was born on February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. Langston's parents separated before his birth. James Hughes, Langston’s dad, lived in Mexico. Langston's …show more content…
Langstoni published sixteen books of poetry, two novels, three collections of short stories, twenty plays, four volumes of essays, three autobiographies, and many magazine articles. He also stretched into popular culture with a collection of children's poetry, musicals, operas, and even radio and television scripts. He was first recognized as an important literary figure in the 1920s, during a time known as “Harlem Renaissance.” The "Harlem Renaissance" is a cultural movement in 1920s America during which black art, literature, and music experienced renewal and growth, originating in New York City's Harlem district also known as "Black Renaissance" or "Negro Movement." In 1921, his poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" was published in the magazine "The Crisis" and was highly praised. In 1925, he won first prize for his poem, “The Weary Blues” in the Opportunity Magazine literary competition. This was followed by the publishing of his first book of poetry with the same title in 1926, in 1927 a play called "Fine Clothes to the Jew." His first novel "Not Without Laughter" was published in 1930. He published his first collection of short stories, "The Ways of White Folks," in 1934. He wrote a play called “Little Ham” in 1936. In 1940, when he was 28, he wrote an autobiography "The Big Sea". In 1949, he created an opera entitled "Trouble Island". Langston mainly wrote about racism, injustice, and African American culture humor. Langston Hughes became the twentieth century writer and poet. He was the first African American to earn his living solely from his writing and public lectures. He died on May 22, 1967 from prostate cancer in New