Langston Hughes was a pioneering genius of jazz poetry. Jazz poetry has a jazz-like rhythm, and plays with catchphrases of jazz music.
Hughes played a key role in the Harlem Renaissance in New York City. The Harlem Renaissance was the rebirth and revival of African-American Arts.
Hughes was born on February 1, 1902, in Missouri, US. ‘The Weary Blues’ was the first poetry collection of Langston Hughes. His greatest poem ‘The Negro Speaks of Rivers’, appears in this collection. His first novel, ‘Not Without Laughter’, won the Harmon gold medal for literature.
Hughes was the author of the Simple Book series. ‘Simple Speaks His Mind’, ‘Simple Stakes a Claim’, ‘Simple Takes a Wife’, and ‘Simple’s Uncle Sam’, are some famous Simple books.
Hughes was a playwright too, and he wrote many plays in his time. Hughes partnered Zora Neale Hurston to write the play, ‘Mule Bone’.
His autobiography, ‘The Big Sea’ was praised by critics and readers alike. Hughes wrote about the music in the lives of the working-class blacks in America, and their joys and sorrows.
Hughes was struck down by prostate cancer on May 22nd, 1967.