Countee Cullen was a prominent poet of the Harlem Renaissance. He was likely abandoned by his mother at a young age and was raised by his paternal grandmother until her death when he was 15, after which he was adopted by a reverend. Cullen was educated at New York University and Harvard University. His work embraced both white and black cultures but criticized black writers who erected barriers between the races. He often highlighted the injustice of racial inequality in his writing.

1. Countee Cullen
One of the most prominent
poets of the Harlem
Renaissance
His birth place is uncertain and
was probably abandoned by
his mother
He came to Harlem with his
paternal grandmother – Mrs.
Porter – who died when he
was just 15.
He was then adopted by Rev.
Fredrick A. Cullen, the pastor
of Salem Methodist Episcopal
Church, Harlem’s largest
congregation and who would
later become the president of
the NAACP

2. Cullen grew-up in the epicenter of Harlem
politics, culture and art
He earned academic honors in high school
and went on to study at New York
University and Harvard University
His work was influence by white academia
and his work embraced both cultures
He won many accolades and awards at a
young age

3. Countee Cullen
He was critical of black writers whom he
perceived put up barriers between the
races
However, he always praised black writers
whose work he felt was exceptional and
the injustice of racial inequality was a
major theme in his work
He married Nina Yolande DeBois,
daughter of W.E.B. DeBois

4. Vocabulary – Dark Tower
Increment - (n.) increasing; profit; gain
Countenance (v.) – to give tolerance
Abject (adj.) – hopeless, miserable
Beguile (v.) – to trick or charm
Subtle (adj.) – delicate; difficult to perceive
or understand
Brute (n.) – non-human; beast
Piteous (adj.) – pitiful