Who is he?

Name: James Mercer Langston Hughes
Born: Feb. 2, 1902 - May 22, 1967
Profession: Poet & playwright
Education: Lincoln University, Columbia

Langston Hughes was an American poet, novelist and playwright. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. His African-American origin made him one of the primary contributors to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920's.

What do you think about Hughes's contribution to the American culture? Are you familiar with any of his works? If you have something to share, tell us in the comments!

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

77 Comments

Ray Metoyer

I knew it was Langston Hughes, but the picture also looked like a young Duke Ellington. So I can understand why people may have guessed wrong.

Bewley Steve

The picture used looks amazingly like Ellington.http://a5.files.biography.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTE5NDg0MDU0OTU5Nzg1NDg3.jpg

Sarah Hearn-vonFoerster

He should be better known, Very talented man.

tbear

Looked like Duke Ellington to me, also!

elizawheeler

I know before I ever saw the options. I love his poetry.

✨KRISTA✨

I went with Duke Ellington 😞

earlepg

Maho girl, I thought about using the double chance, and usually do in this circumstance, but unfortunately thought "better" of it this time.

jillbert

He wrote poetry that I could "get", most poetry is too much interpretation of aspects I don't even think about, I don't care for fantasy or fairy tales either.

kamaker

I agree...I got it right but did favor the Duke in that pic...tricky

robert karel

I thought it was Duke Ellington.

Michael Edwards

No idea

d p catalano

Brilliant man.😎

Andrew Mullineaux

Never heard of him! I reckon its Ell....

patricia

Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die life is a broken winged bird that can not fly. Langston Hughes. I can't believe I remembered that.

Ludlow Bushmat

Sean Philips, now...was it really necessary to call her ignorant? Wasn't there a better way to get your point across?

Sean Philips

Mary Wilson, don’t blame Australia for your own ignorance- I am Australian and I have read the work of Langston Hughes! And I don’t know where (or if) you went to school in Australia but children are certainly introduced to a lot more poetry in school (both primary and secondary) than the works A J Patterson.