1. Harlem’s Poet Laureate
Langston Hughes
Harlem’s Poet Laureate

2. Background Born February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri Parents separated
Father emigrated to Mexico to escape racial discrimination in the states
Mother was a teacher and struggled to support Langston
Ages 7-12 Hughes lived in Lawrence, Kansas with maternal grandmother

3. Education Hughes completed grammar school in Lincoln, Illinois
In 7th grade, classmates elected him “class poet” even though he had never written a poem in his life
Family moved to Cleveland, Ohio
Attended Central High School
Popular student, elected to class offices, acted in school plays, and joined track and field team, wrote poems in dialect and free verse.

4. World Traveler
After graduating high school, visited his father in Mexico for a year
Composed “ The Negro Speaks of Rivers”
Found poetic voice and was published in magazines
Attended Columbia University in New York (1921)
Dropped out after one year
Remained in Harlem, New York supporting himself as best he could

5. World Traveler Continued…
1923 Hughes found work as a cabin boy on a boat bound for Africa, a trip that moved him profoundly.
Sailed to Europe
1924 moved back to U.S to pursue writing

6. Famous Hughes 1925 Won literary contest with “The Weary Blues”
Associated with famous poets (Vachel Lindsay)
Received scholarship to Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University, the same year his first collection of poems were published
Published second collection, “Fine Clothes to the Jew”

7. Hughes’ Career Played role in Harlem Renaissance
Portrayed life of night owls and ordinary working people in Harlem
Encouraged African American artists to express their own culture
Used writing to protest racial discrimination
First African American to earn a living solely from writing
Wrote more than 40 books
Poems reflect rhythms of blues and jazz music
Died in New York in 1967

8. Hughes’ Poetic Style
Use of dialect that is characteristic of African Americans in the Urban North
A passionate tone, often one of love, sympathy or melancholy
Use of irony, satire, and a paradox to expose racial problems and self-deceptions
Vivid imagery of the African American experience, especially life in Harlem
Rhythms that are taken from speech and music