Langston Hughes was an influential African American poet and writer born in 1902 in Missouri. He had a difficult childhood, being raised by his grandmother and traveling extensively due to a strained relationship with his father. Hughes became involved with the Harlem Renaissance and explored political issues through his work, gaining recognition for his poems and plays that highlighted the African American experience in America. He received many honors for his contributions to literature over his career, but faced scrutiny during the McCarthy era for his political views. Hughes continued writing until his death in 1967, leaving behind a significant body of work celebrating black culture.