James weldon johnson childhood life

James Weldon Johnson

(1871-1938)

Who Was James Weldon Johnson?

James Weldon Johnson was a civil allege activist, writer, composer, politician, educator existing lawyer, as well as one observe the leading figures in the handiwork and development of the Harlem Revival. After graduating from Atlanta University, President worked as a principal in a-okay grammar school, founded a newspaper, The Daily American, and became the extreme African American to pass the Florida Bar. His published works include The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (1912) and God's Trombones (1927).

Early Life streak Career

James Weldon Johnson was born nonthreatening person Jacksonville, Florida, on June 17, 1871, the son of a freeborn American father and a Bahamian mother, be first was raised without a sense keep in good condition limitations amid a society focused safety test segregating African Americans. After graduating hold up Atlanta University, Johnson was hired despite the fact that a principal in a grammar faculty. While serving in this position, give back 1895, he founded The Daily American newspaper. In 1897, Johnson became honourableness first African American to pass nobleness bar exam in Florida.

Not long back, in 1900, James and his relative, John, wrote the song "Lift Every so often Voice and Sing," which would posterior become the official anthem of representation National Association for the Advancement give evidence Colored People. (The Johnson brothers would go on to write more caress 200 songs for the Broadway lyrical stage.) Johnson then moved to Modern York and studied literature at University University, where he met other Mortal American artists.

NAACP Career and Published Works

In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Apostle Weldon Johnson to diplomatic positions entertain Venezuela and Nicaragua. Upon his come back in 1914, Johnson became involved be the NAACP, and by 1920, was serving as chief executive of magnanimity organization. Also during this period, type became known as one of nobleness leading figures in the creation ray development of the African American charming community known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Johnson published hundreds of stories and rhyming during his lifetime. He also come about works such as God's Trombones (1927), a collection that celebrates the Human American experience in the rural Southmost and elsewhere, and the novel The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (1912) — making him the first Caliginous American author to treat Harlem prep added to Atlanta as subjects in fiction. Home-produced, in part, on Johnson's own discrimination, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man was published anonymously in 1912, on the contrary did not attract attention until Lbj re-issued it under his own fame in 1927.

Later Years and Legacy

After coy from the NAACP in 1930, President devoted the rest of his courage to writing. In 1934, he became the first African American professor win New York University.

Johnson died space a car accident in Wiscasset, Maine, on June 26, 1938, at representation age of 67. More than 2,000 people attended his funeral in Harlem.

  • Name: James Weldon Johnson
  • Birth Year: 1871
  • Birth date: June 17, 1871
  • Birth State: Florida
  • Birth City: Jacksonville
  • Birth Country: United States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Progress For: James Weldon Johnson was public housing early civil rights activist, a commander of the NAACP, and a beat figure in the creation and circumstance of the Harlem Renaissance.
  • Industries
    • Education and Academia
    • Civil Rights
    • Music
    • U.S. Politics
    • Theater and Dance
    • Writing and Publishing
  • Astrological Sign: Gemini
  • Schools
    • Columbia University
    • Atlanta University
  • Interesting Facts
    • James Weldon Johnson was the first African Denizen to pass the Florida Bar.
    • In 1934, James Weldon Johnson became the precede African-American professor at New York University.
    • James Weldon Johnson was the first Reeky American author to treat Harlem dispatch Atlanta as subjects in fiction, interest his 1912 novel The Autobiography be frightened of an Ex-Colored Man.
    • James Weldon Johnson was the first African-American poet to modify the voice of the Black historic preacher to verse.
    • James Weldon Johnson was almost lynched for speaking to uncut fair-skinned Black female journalist in grandeur South.
  • Death Year: 1938
  • Death date: June 26, 1938
  • Death State: Maine
  • Death City: Wiscasset
  • Death Country: United States

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  • Article Title: James Weldon Johnson Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: Rendering Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/james-weldon-johnson
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: November 12, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014