The Harlem Renaissance was African Americans life during the 1920’s and 1930’s. At that time the period was known as the “New Negro Movement”. This was named after the 1925 Anthology by Alain Locke. The Harlem Renaissance took place in New York City. Aaron Douglas was the first visual person to paint the environment in Harlem and documented it. This event led towards the First World War, the jazz age and the Great Depression

Langston Huges was the first writer and artist to draw Harlem and the African American people in their culture. Langston was born in Joplin, Missouri, far away from New York City. He grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and Lincoln, Illinois. He attended school in Cleveland, Ohio. He also spent a year in Mexico, near Mexico City. In some places he was part of a small tiny black community.

Langston Huges first discovered poetry in the eighth grade when his grandmother died. This is when he became a true poet. Langston poetry began to grow deeper once the relationship with his father faded away. Langston did not get along with his father. This caused his poetry to have more life than ever before. Langston attended Columbia University in 1921. His father was so impressed with his poetry he had a change of heart and decided to pay for his son’s education. In the late 1930’s, He was very famous for a theater play called “Mulatto”. It was the longest play ever performed on stage by an African American.

Langston Huges died May 22, 1967 shortly after having abdominal surgery. Langston died as he lived with lots of jazz music and a love for African American poetry and Art. His writings will live on forever and he will always be a large part of African American history. Langston Huges represents the true meaning of the Harlem Renaissance.

I chose Langston Hughes because I wanted to know about his lifestyle. I wanted to learn more about the way he lived and the way he died. Langston Hughes made many great accomplishments throughout his life. He was a great poet and writer. I believe he was so famous because he wrote about things other people could relate to. One of his most famous works of poetry was “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”.