Hunter Little

Ms. Mckenzie
American literature
3/22/16
Langston Hughes
According to the editors of biography.com Langston Hughes was an American poet, Novelist,
and playwright whose African-American themes made him a primary contributor to the Harlem
Renaissance of the 1920s(Langston Hughes Biography). Langston was born in Joplin, Missouri
on February 1st, 1902. He published numerous novels of poetry and became known on a famous
level because of his works. Some of his most famous works are, The Weary Blues, The Negro
That Speaks of The River
In the Hughes early life, his parents separated soon after he was born. His father left when he
was young and his mother moved from place to place often. Therefore, he was primarily raised
by his Grandmother until she passed away during his early teen years ( Langston Hughes
Biography). Once his grandmother passed, he was sent to live with his mother who had finally
settled in Ohio. Once he moved in with his mother, thats when he began to write poetry. He
submitted his work to multiple times to several companies but he was rejected. That didnt stop
him from becoming a outstanding writer!
According to https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/langston-hughes Langstons main influences
on writing were Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman. They were all well
known for their descriptive, insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from the
twenties through the sixties. These writers, primarily Walt Whitman were also involved with
jazz and its influence on his writings. Little do we know, Langston Hughes could be known as

the Father of The Harlem Renaissance, thanks to his idols. If not for these people in his life, he
may have never became the man he did. For all we know he could have been a bag boy for the
rest of his life.
Have you ever wondered what famous writers did before they became writers? Well Mr. Hughes
did many things before becoming a brilliant and influential writer. For six months in 1923 he was
a crewmember on the S.S. Malone, traveling to west Africa and Europe. Then, he became (after
numerous odd jobs) the personal assistant of the Famous Historian Carter G. Woodson. After,
being a assistant for 2 years he quit his job to work as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel .
working here he met a woman by the name of vachel Lindsay whom he shared his poems with.
Eventually she is the reason his works got publicized.
Although Mr. Hughes was a successful poet and did his part in influencing many people, all great
things come to an end. In 1967 at the age of 65 Langston became sick after a surgery that also
related to prostate Cancer. He fought for many days, weeks, even months before finally letting go
on May 22nd, 1967.Even though every person does not know of his works, his legends, and
legacy will continue to grow and carry on.

Works Sited
"Langston Hughes." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
"Langston Hughes." Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
"Langston Hughes." Poetry Foundation. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.