Johnson, James Weldon

1871-1938 · Contribution: 1900-1938

Literature & Writing

Poetry, fiction, anthologies, and songwriting; wrote the lyrics to 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' (the 'Negro National Anthem'), the novel 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' (1912), and the poetry collection 'God's Trombones' (1927); edited 'The Book of American Negro Poetry' (1922)

Literature & Writing — collage image
Literature & Writing

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Quick facts

Born
1871-1938
Category
Literature & Writing

Impact on the world

Johnson bridged literature, scholarship, and activism, preserving Black folk traditions in art while leading the nation's foremost civil-rights organization.

Sources

  1. Britannica

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