1. James Weldon Johnson
American Novelist, Poet, Autobiographer, Historian and Critic

2. Johnson’s life, Activities, Accomplishments
Short, exciting life...

3. Johnson’s Life Born in Jacksonville, Florida - 1871
Attended grammar school in Jacksonville
Went to Atlanta University for preparatory and undergraduate study
Returned to Jacksonville to principal and teach
Simultaneously pursued other careers
Died tragically in 1938

4. Song and Dance Team
Bob Cole and James Weldon Johnson

5. Activities/Accomplishments: 1894-1912
Founder of the first public high school for African Americans in Florida
Founder of one of the first black daily newspapers: the Daily American
First African American lawyer admitted to the bar in his area of Florida
Likely the first Floridian ever to compose an opera
Served as US consulate in Venezuela - fluent in Spanish and French
Served as US Consulate in Nicaragua, 1908

6. Activities/Accomplishments 1912-1931
Finishes and publishes Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Joined the NAACP
Publishes Fifty Years and Other Poems
Serves as Executive Secretary of NAACP,
Publishes The Book of American Negro Poetry (poetry anthology)
Publishes God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse (poetry)
Re-publication of Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man, 1927

7. Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
Published anonymously in 1912
disassociation from controversy
gave credence to the fictional narrator
New Techniques used in the novel
overthrows stereotypical black character
first person narrative
unreliable narrator
vision of black life through irony rather than propaganda
autobiography sad instead of proud

8. Themes Unique tone passing moral cowardice materiality
condemnation of black life
insecurity
unfulfilled dreams
flight from confrontation
destruction from within

9. Upcoming Assignments/Activities
October 9 - Recorded Session on final thoughts on Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, and Introduction to Harlem Renaissance
Assignment: Read Jean Toomer’s Cane
October 11 - Live Session on Breeze. Introduction to Jean Toomer. Discuss poetry and short stories
Assignment: Hughes and Hurston, take quiz anytime before class on Tuesday, October 16
October 16 - Student Presentation on Hughes, Intro to Hurston