How was Langston Hughes Discovered
Langston Hughes is one of the most renowned writers in American literary history. He is best known for his poetry, essays, and short stories, which he wrote while living in Harlem during the 1920s. But how was Langston Hughes discovered? Hughes’s story is a inspiring example of determination, resilience, and sheer luck.
Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902. He was raised primarily by his grandmother, who supported his interest in literature and took him to visit world-renowned authors in nearby cities. Despite his encouragement, however, Hughes and his family were very poor. Eventually, Hughes’s father left the family and his mother realized she could not support him. So, Hughes left Joplin to pursue his education and ultimately, his writing career.
In 1921, Hughes enrolled at Columbia university on a scholarship, but dropped out a year later due to lackluster grades and tuition costs. Shortly after leaving college, Hughes began to follow his literary dreams by writing poetry and submitting his work to newspapers and magazines. But it was not until he met novelist and essayist Carl Van Vechten in 1923 that his writing truly began to flourish.
At the urging of Van Vechten, Hughes wrote and published his first collection of poems, “The Weary Blues,” in 1926. What followed was a flurry of published works, including short stories, autobiographies, plays, and a novel. Hughes became a household name during the Harlem Renaissance, a movement of African-American writers and artists during the 1920s and 1930s.
Critics lauded Hughes as a formidable literary talent, praising his unique voice and his ability to capture the hardships of the African-American experience. His work became emblematic of the civil rights movement and has had a profound influence on generations of readers, writers, and artists. It is safe to say that Langston Hughes was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
So, how was Langston Hughes was discovered? Hughes’s story is a inspiring example of determination, resilience, and sheer luck; without Van Vechten’s guidance, Hughes would have become yet another undiscovered talent.
His Early Years
Langston Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri, the second child of James Nathaniel and Carrie Langston Hughes. He was raised primarily by his grandmother, Mary Patterson Langston, a former slave who encouraged his interest in literature. Many of the authors Hughes admired wrote their works in the local library, so Hughes spent much of his youth there.
His mother, who struggled with mental illness, moved to Mexico when Hughes was twelve, leaving him in the care of his grandmother. By the time he was fourteen, Hughes had moved to Lincoln, Illinois with his father. Unfortunately, Hughes’ life there was often disrupted by his father’s frequent moves, so he ultimately returned to his grandmother’s house in Missouri.
Immaortalized in Poetry
In 1926, Hughes wrote and published his first collection of poems, “The Weary Blues.” The poem was a reflection on his early struggles, immortalizing his experience in powerful verse. Despite its success, Hughes moved to New York City in the same year. He quickly developed a circle of artistic friends that encouraged his writing.
Hughes made it his life’s work to chronicle the African-American experience and their struggles with inequality in the United States. He used poetry to empower the voiceless, writing some of the most influential composition of its kind. His most acclaimed works are “The Weary Blues,” “I, Too,” “Theme for English B,” and “Let America be America Again.”
His Legacy Lives on
Langston Hughes is one of the most celebrated authors of his time. Much of the credit for his success lies with his close friend and benefactor, Carl Van Vechten, who encouraged Hughes to pursue his writings. Although Hughes passed away in 1967, his works, and the strength it evokes in its readers, still resonates strongly.
Many memoirs and biographies have been written about Hughes to further explore his life and work. His influence on the civil rights movement is evident, and his work is celebrated and adapted by authors, musicians, actors, and other artists across the arts and humanities.
His Work Is an Inspiration
Langston Hughes’s journey from a small town in Joplin, Missouri to a globally acclaimed poet is an inspiration to all aspiring writers. His hard work, resilience, and unwavering pursuit of his craft exemplify the power of believing in yourself. His work continues to endure, and Hughes’ life and legacy will continue to have a lasting impact on generations to come.
The Poet of the People
Langston Hughes often referred to himself as the “poet of the people.” During his time in New York City, Hughes joined the Harlem Renaissance movement and quickly became its most influential voice. His commitment to highlighting the experiences of disenfranchised communities and to highlighting the plight of the African-American people won Hughes the admiration of readers of all backgrounds.
One of Hughes’s most notable works was his play, “Mule Bone,” written with poet Zora Neale Hurston. The play was a telling exploration of African-American folklore and culture and was Hughes’s most significant contribution to the Harlem Renaissance.
A Mark of Distinction
In 1940, Hughes was awarded the Anisfield-Wolf Award for literature for his work, “The Big Sea.” This distinguished award cemented Hughes’s mark of distinction in American literature and is proof of his hard-earned success.
Hughes’s works continue to inform, impress, and challenge readers to this day. His poetry has been adapted for theater, film, and television, and has been translated into Spanish, French, and German.
Tracing His Footsteps
To learn more about Langston Hughes’s life, visitors can trace his footsteps through his various residences, including a Harlem brownstone, an Upper West Side apartment, and a Lenox Avenue home. This architectural tour of Hughes’s life tells an important story of the Harlem Renaissance and offers a unique window into the past.
Although Langston Hughes’s life is long over, his writings continue to influence, educate, and inspire readers around the world. As Carl Van Vechten said of Hughes’s work, “We must never forget that Langston Hughes, who came out of the lower depths and made beauty out of the sordidness of life, is one of the great, immortal poets of America.”
