Celebrating Langston Hughes, the Harlem Renaissance Writer

“Hold fast to dreams,

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird,

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.”

― On Dreams by Langston Hughes

On February 1^st we celebrate the birthday of our prized Harlem Renaissance author, Langston Hughes, who was born on this day in Joplin, Missouri in 1901. He lived until 1967, passing away in his beloved New York City.

Langston is best known as a 20th-century literary innovator who popularized Jazz Poetry and theater which embraced the colloquial language of African Americans. He was controversial for his writing on the very real lives of African Americans and, at the time, literature written in everyday speech was looked down on by many. However, through his writings, he shared with his audience his own struggles and his love of the vibrant cultural life of Harlem.

The accessibility of his work has made it popular for acquainting students with the rich literary art of African Americans. I was first introduced to Langston Hughes’ writing in high school by a respected language arts teacher. I enjoyed reading poetry at the time because of its naturally emotive nature and poetry books were quicker to read for my impatient self. Langston introduced me to parts of American history and culture that I didn’t personally know, helping to develop in me a sensitivity and openness to the human experience.

Here is a curated list of Langston Hughes' work and resources on his life that are available with a Mercer County Library System card.

Collections of Langston’s poetry:

The Weary Blues

Vintage Hughes

Selected Poems of Langston Hughes

Fiction:

Not Without Laughter

Short Stories:

Short Stories of Langston Hughes

The Ways of White Folks

Literary Criticisms on Langston’s work:

Critical Essays on Langston Hughes edited by Edward J. Mullen