
Person
Langston Hughes
Writing · 1901–1967 · Joplin, Missouri, USA
Biography
An influential American writer from the early to mid 20th century. Beginning with the publication of "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" in 1921, Hughes first captured the public's imagination as a poet. A versatile writer, Hughes was also adept in writing short stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction. His work often focused on the lives of ordinary people and frequently employed humor, social commentary, and folk wisdom in his writing. In the late 1930s he began writing for Hollywood, but his time there was short lived due to a variety of factors, not least of which was the racism prevalent in the industry at that time. During his lifetime, he received one feature film credit for writing "Way Down South" (1939) with Clarence Muse. In the early 1960s, his play "Black Nativity" was produced for British television.
Known for

Nationtime: Gary
Writer
Mulat
Theatre Play

Black Nativity
Theatre Play

Way Down South
Writer
Black Nativity
Writer
Thank You, M'am
Story

Cora Unashamed
Story
Kurt Weill: Street Scene
Lyricist

Looking for Langston
Self (archive footage)

The Strolling '20s
Writer
Filmography
- 2024The Sun Sets Like a ScarPoem
- 2021After MidnightWriter
- 2019Kurt Weill: Street SceneLyricist
- 2013Black NativityTheatre Play
- 2000Cora UnashamedStory
- 1993Kurt Weill: Street SceneLyricist
- 1992I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Kurt Weill in AmericaLyricist
- 1989Looking for LangstonSelf (archive footage)
- 1980The PocketbookOriginal Story
- 1977Thank You, M'amStory
- 1972Nationtime: GaryWriter
- 1968Black BluesOriginal Story
- 1966The Strolling '20sWriter
- 1966The First World Festival of Negro ArtsHimself
- 1966JazzPoem
- 1962Black NativityWriter
- 1962MulatTheatre Play
- 1947Rhythm of AfricaScreenplay
- 1941The Blood of JesusPoem
- 1939Way Down SouthWriter
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