James Mercer Langston Hughes, born on February 1, 1901, was an American poet, novelist, playwright, and short story writer. He was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, a movement in which African-American culture flourished in the 1920s. His works were recognized by The Crisis, the official magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, but his family moved shortly after his birth.
His father, James Hughes, left the family due to racism towards African-Americans. Despite this, Langston was determined to express the mind and spirit of African-Americans through his works. He was known for his unique style of writing which was characterized by rhythm and soul. Langston Hughes' works have been published in several books such as ProSeletters from Langston (University of California Press) and 201 Selected Letters by Langston Hughes (Alfred A.).
His works have been celebrated for nearly half a century and continue to be appreciated today. Langston Hughes passed away on May 22, 1967 at the age of 65. Despite his death, his works remain timeless and continue to inspire people around the world.