Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was an influential Harlem Renaissance poet. He was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902. Both of Hughes’ parents were bookkeepers. His parents separated when Hughes was young. After his parent’s separation, Hughes’ father moved to Mexico and Hughes’ grandmother helped raise him. When Hughes was 12, his mother moved him to Illinois. Shortly after their move to Illinois, Hughes’ mother moved their family to Ohio. It was here, that Hughes was said to gain an appreciation/interest in the human struggle.

Hughes began writing poetry in high school. However, Hughes did not gain recognition until he was working as a busboy at the Wardman Hotel in Washington, D.C. when he gave three poems to Vachel Lindsay, a famous critic.

As mentioned before, much of Hughes inspiration came from the human struggle. He used the term “low-down” folk to describe these people, and was said to be most inspired by their acceptance of their own beauty without question. More than anything, Hughes was inspired by the “low-down” folk’s music. This was apparent in his stories, “Songs Called the Blues”.

One year after Lindsay’s positive critique Hughes enrolled in Lincoln University. There he also joined Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the first black fraternal organization. Hughes received a B.A. degree form Lincoln University in 1929, after which he lived most of his life in Harlem.

Hughes died on May 22, 1967 after complication from an abdominal surgery. He was 65 years old. However, Hughes influence still lives on today. Not only was he a great poet, he still brings recognition to human struggles today.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.

I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.