Langston Hughes

Biography

Langston Hughes (1901–1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, and social activist, one of the leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Born in Joplin, Missouri, he grew up in various Midwestern cities before attending Columbia University and Lincoln University. Hughes was among the first to use jazz rhythms and Black vernacular in poetry. His poems, including "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," "Harlem," and "I, Too, Sing America," became defining works of African American literature. He also wrote novels, plays, and essays that celebrated Black life while confronting racism. His column featuring the character Jesse B. Semple ("Simple") ran for over twenty years.