Early Life and Career
Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1902. He was raised around various cities including Lawrence, Kansas and Lincoln, Illinois. He came from a well-educated African American family and was exposed to influential ideas in the arts and politics. His family encouraged him to pursue his love of writing; in 1921 he began attending Columbia University in New York City and started writing poetry while an undergraduate student.
During his career he wrote novels, short stories, essays, plays, children’s stories, and much more. Hughes’ writings promote the African American experience and the importance of black culture and pride. He was an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance, and while his works received both criticism and praise, they remain essential components of the African American literary tradition.
Marriage and Death
As for his personal life, Langston Hughes had an especially secretive private life. He was married at least twice: once to Alberta Williams in 1925, and then to Mary Elizabeth “Bessie” Buddy in 1959. Alberta was an actress, playwright, teacher, and dancer. Besides Alberta and Bessie, Langston had several other romantic relationships throughout his life.
Sadly, Langston passed away in 1967 due to complications from prostate cancer. He left behind an extensive career of writing, inspiring countless other writers and artists to follow in his footsteps.
Legacy and Influence
Langston’s influence is seen in all aspects of culture, whether it’s in the works of some of today’s biggest filmmakers, artists and songwriters, or in institutions like the Langston Hughes Center for African American Studies at the University of Washington. His works speak to the African American experience and celebrate African American culture. He is a true pioneer of the Harlem Renaissance and his legacy continues to be a source of inspiration.
Today, schools, library buildings, theatres, and other public institutions are named after the poet, his books are widely read, and his name is well-known to many. He continues to be seen as an important leader in the history and culture of African-Americans.
Langston Hughes and Feminism
Langston Hughes, who was also a feminist, was largely impacted by the women in his life. In particular, his mother and first wife, Alberta, had a huge influence on Hughes, who was one of the few prominent African American male feminists in the early 20th century. He was exposed to feminist ideals during his time studying at Columbia University, and soon began expressing those ideas in his works. Hughes was a firm believer in the fight for equal rights for all people. He used his poetry to spread awareness of various injustices and argued for the need for feminists to be a unifying force for all people.
In his poem “Goodbye Christ”, Hughes critiques religious dogma by celebrating the power of feminine energy. He believed that men and women should be equal and that men should recognize and respect the beauty and strength of women. Although it was not common for a man in the 20th century to be a feminist, Hughes was a champion of women’s rights and he championed the idea of equality among the sexes.
Who Was Langston Hughes’s Wife?
Langston Hughes was married twice: first to an actress, playwright, teacher, and dancer named Alberta Williams in 1925; and then to Mary Elizabeth “Bessie” Buddy in 1959. Prior to marriage, Langston Hughes had a myriad of romantic relationships as well. Given the secrecy of his private life, details about his marriages are hard to come by, but it is known that Hughes was very close to his wives, and that their relationships had a significant impact on his life and works.
Criticism and Adoration
The works of Langston Hughes have been both celebrated and critiqued throughout the years. His poetry, works of fiction, essays, and various other writings provide an important look into the African American experience, and his writings remain essential components of the African American literary tradition. He is widely considered to be a great writer, with decades of appreciation and reverence for his work.
However, not all criticism of Hughes was positive. His writing style was often viewed as too simplistic, and he was sometimes accused of sacrificing literary artistry for political focus. In the 1960s, some suggested that he had become too out of touch with his own culture and that his works no longer had the same impact they had in the 1920s. This led to a shift in the critical conversation around his works, which in turn led to a revival of his work in the late 60s and 70s. Nonetheless, Langston Hughes’ works remain influential and vital to the African American literary tradition.
Entertainment
Langston Hughes’ works were not only important for literature, but were also influential for the entertainment industry. Hughes wrote songs for musicals and musical revues, wrote radio scripts, wrote and starred in plays, wrote for jazz orchestras, wrote film scripts, and wrote sketches for vaudeville. Since his passing, his works have been adapted for the screen many times, with the most notable being the 1985 television movie “The Langston Hughes Story.” Hughes’ works had an immense impact on the entertainment industry, and as a result, his legacy continues to live on in various forms of art and entertainment.
Awards and International Recognition
Throughout his career, Langston Hughes received many awards and honors. He won the prestigious Anisfield-Wolf Award in both 1948 and 1954, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in 1971. His works have been translated into more than 20 languages, and he has received international recognition for his writings. In 1991, one of his manuscripts was acquired by the National Library of Congress, and in 2002, a new postage stamp featuring Hughes was issued. Hughes’ works continue to be widely read, discussed, and studied throughout the world and his international acclaim is a testament to his lasting impact.
Arts Education
Langston Hughes’ dedication to the arts was exhibited through his involvement with numerous arts organizations throughout his life. One of his most notable involvements was with the Harlem Community Arts Center, which he helped to found in 1937. The center provided an outlet for African American artists and was a place where they could share knowledge and learn new skills. Hughes was also a patron of the arts, providing a platform for emerging African American artists to showcase their talents. His legacy lives on in the various forms of art and entertainment he is credited with creating.
Moreover, Hughes helped to establish the Negro Playwrights Company in 1937, which focused on providing African American writers with the opportunity to develop their scripts and have them produced. This was an important milestone in African American theatre history, and it is still recognized today as a major contribution to the field.
Legacy in Education
It is no surprise that Langston Hughes is considered one of the most important figures of the Harlem Renaissance. He is an integral part of African American history and an iconic figure of the literary canon. His works have been studied in school curriculums across the country, and he has been acknowledged with multiple awards and honors. His influence continues to live on in the works of countless other writers and artists, who have been inspired by his works.
The Langston Hughes Center for African American Studies at the University of Washington is one such example. This center is dedicated to studying much of Hughes’ work, researching them, and making sure they are available to students and all who wish to learn from them. Additionally, many of Hughes’ works have been adapted into plays and films, which continue to be seen today, and library buildings, theatres, and other public institutions have been named after him.
Final Thoughts
Langston Hughes has left a lasting legacy of inspiration and creativity. His works are celebrated and revered throughout the African American community and beyond, and he is fondly remembered as an influential poet and activist. His works are a testament to the power and beauty of the African American experience, and continue to be a source of pride and admiration.
