Langston Hughes was an influential African American poet and writer born in 1902 in Missouri. He was raised primarily by his grandmother in Kansas and Ohio after his parents divorced. Hughes studied at Columbia University but left to pursue his dream of being a writer against his father's wishes. He published his first book of poetry in 1926 and went on to write poetry, plays, novels, and anthologies that were hugely influential on the Harlem Renaissance. Hughes died in 1967 in New York from prostate cancer and his home was later designated a landmark in his honor.

1. Langston HughesFebruary 1, 1902- May 22, 1967

2. Early LifeBorn in Joplin, MOParents divorced and father went to MexicoRaised by grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas until age 13Moved to Illinois with mother and stepfatherAll moved to Ohio, where he finished high schoolBegan his writing while in Lincoln, Illinois

3. Graduation/CollegeHe went to Mexico for a yearStudied at Columbia University for a yearHeld many jobs including: cook, busboy, launderer, and a seaman allowing him to travel to Africa and Europe

4. RelationshipsIn Mexico, he hoped to receive approval from his father and money to attend college.His father supported him financially as long as he studied engineering.His father disapproved of him becoming a writer. Hughes left Columbia University and his father to pursue writing.

5. First Writings…Hughes moved to Washington D.C. His first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published in 1926Finished school at Lincoln UniversityFirst novel, Not without Laughter, was released in 1930Novel won the Harmon gold medal for literature

6. InfluencesPaul Lawrence DunbarCarl SandburgWalt WhitmanJazz music

7. Goal/AccomplishmentsTo write stories that combined: suffering, love, art, music, and actual cultureWorks had a huge influence on the Harlem Renaissance Poetry11 playsAutobiographyEdited anthologies

8. DeathDied from complications of prostate cancer, May 22, 1967Home in Harlem, New York was given a landmark statusStreet he lived on has been renamed “Langston Hughes Place”

9. Fun FactsLangston Hughes was one of the first black authors to support himself from his writings.Had a reputation of being a communist but testified he was not.He never married.In grade school, he was voted as “class poet”.