Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri but was raised mainly by his grandmother in Lawrence, Kansas. He began writing poetry in 8th grade and was named "Class Poet" by his classmates. His first published poem was "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" in 1923. Hughes wrote on political, racial, and children's topics throughout his career.

2. Biography Born in Joplin, MO but lived mainly with his grandmother in Lawrence, KS. His brother was the first Black American elected to public office in 1855. He began writing poetry when he was in 8 th grade and was named “Class Poet” by his classmates. He attended Columbia University, which was paid for by his father, on the grounds that he would study engineering. He dropped out after one year and continued on with his writing career.

3. Biography His 1 st published poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was also one of his most famous. In 1923 James traveled abroad to several different locations. His favorite pastime event was sitting in the clubs listening to blues, jazz, and writing poetry. He was the most popular and versatile of the many writers connected with the Harlem Renissance. The Great Depression brought about an abrupt end to much African American literary activity, and this is when Hughes became involved in radical politics. Hughes became apart of the American Communist Party with along with other blacks.

4. Biography He never married and there has been un relevant speculations about his sexuality. Many of his friends were homosexual. He died in a Hospital in New York due to complications during surgery in 1967. More of his works included novels, short stories, musicals, operas, plays, television scripts, and many magazine articles.

5. Works Hughes’s works can be divided mostly into three categories: Political, Racial, and works for Children. Hughes’s work encompassed both popular lyrical poems, and more controversial political work. Hughes also expressed direct and sometimes even a pessimistic approach to race relations, and focused his poems on the lives of the working class. Hughes also published works for children, specifically the Dream Keeper in 1932, which was a collection of poetry for children.

6. Works (Racial) Hughes poem “ I, Too” is a representation of race is his poems. “ Silhouette” is a representation of Hughes writing about his life, and not be afraid to write about racial themes. Hughes not only believed in bringing race to the surface through his own works, he also believed in calling forth the next generation of poets and charging them with the responsibility to include race into their own works.

7. Works (Children) Hughes started to publish anthologies for children and adults in the 1950s and the 1960s. Hughes poem “ Genius Child” is an example of the works that he wrote for children and adults. “ Madam and Her Madam” is another example from the book of poetry Hughes wrote for children and adults.

8. Works (Political) The poem “ Freedom” written by Hughes is a representation of his stake in politics. Hughes encompassed many works about politics, and most of this was done during the 1930s. This exert from “ Freedom” is a clear example of how Hughes fought for racial and political issues. “ I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I’m dead. I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.”

9. Review Questions Why did Hughes begin to write about politics instead of race? The Great Depression What three areas did Hughes mainly write about? Politics, Race, and Children What was Hughes’s first published poem? The Negro Speaks of Rivers Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, MO, but grew up in where and with who? Lawrence, KS and his grandmother

10. Referecnes Poerts.org Guide to Langston Hughes Poetryarchive.org-Langston Hughes Poemhunter.com-Langston Hughes