James Langston Hughes

1. James Langston Hughes By: Chelsea Going

2. James Langston Hughes

3. Background • Born: February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri • Born to the parents of Carrie and James Hughes • When his parents divorced he was sent to live with his grandmother: Mary Langston.

4. Langston’s Childhood • While living with his grandmother Langston was taught a great deal of racial pride. • Living with his grandmother he attended school and gained a passion for writing. • After his grandmothers death not getting along with his father in Toluca, Mexico, his mother made him come live with her in Lincoln, Illinois. • Soon after moving to Lincoln, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. • In Cleveland Langston’s passion for poetry grew even more.

5. Langston’s Beginning • In the 8th grade was when Langston’s writing really began. • He wrote his first verse of poetry and was named the class poet. • Later during Langston’s high school life he became the publisher for the school newspaper the Monthly. • His English teacher inspired by his writing introduced Langston to poets: Carl Sandburg, Walt Whitman, and Paul Dunbar which became his inspiration.

6. During the summer going into his senior year, Langston went to visit his father. Not getting along with his father during his whole summer. Langston’s visit contributed to his maturity as a writer and as a man. Visits with Langston’s Father

7. After Langston graduated from high school he went to visit his father again to ask him to help pay for college. On the train ride to Toluca, Mexico he began to ponder the past and future. Finally making all his thoughts into his poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. After the visit with his father, his father agreed to pay for college as long as he studied engineering. Visits with Langston’s Father I've known rivers: I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. By: Langston Hughes

8. College Life • When Langston went to college he only stayed in college for a year, while finding Harlem. • After discovering Harlem Langston’s writing became inspired by everything around him. • Langston first volume autobiography “The Big Sea” gave a crucial 1st-person point of view of the era. • Langston’s writing increased tremendously and he wrote ideas down when ever one came to his mind.

9. Langston couldn’t just start out with a career in writing and become rich and famous. Langston had to work many different jobs to just make it by. Assistant Cook Launderer Busboy Traveled to Africa and Europe working as a Seaman Odd Jobs

10. Background to Langston’s Poetry • Growing up with racial pride Langston expressed a great deal of putting his own life experiences and common experiences of black America into his poetry. • He wanted to show people the stories of his people in ways that reflected their actual culture, including their suffering, their love of music, laughter, and language. • Langston used rhythms of the jazz and blues, which set his music apart from all other writers. • This allowed Langston to develop a new rhythmic free verse. • With his style of writing and the sharing of his ideas Langston’s second volume of poetry: “Fine Clothes to the Jew”, wasn’t liked by the public.

11. Langston becomes an inspiration

12. Children’s Books Autobiographies Plays Lyrics Even though Langston did express himself through all his work, he did follow guidelines when writing plays and lyrics for other people. Not Just a Poet

13. Towards the End • Langston had always had an issue with money, but after writing lyrics for the Broadway musical “Street Scene”, he was finally able to by a house in Harlem. • Langston became recognized for his poetry in his later years and was named “Poet Laureate of the Negro Race”.

14. Langston Hughes Death • With all that he has accomplished Langston was said to be one of the most original poets of all African American poets. • On May 22, 1967 Langston Hughes died after having abdominal surgery. • He was loved and missed by all who knew him and who read his work.