Langston Hughes, a renowned American writer, emerged as a prominent literary figure in the early to mid 20th century, captivating the public's attention with the publication of his inaugural poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", in 1921.
Throughout his illustrious career, Hughes demonstrated remarkable versatility as a writer, exceling in multiple genres including poetry, short stories, novels, plays, and non-fiction. His works often centered around the daily lives of ordinary people, infusing his writing with humor, social commentary, and folk wisdom.
In the late 1930s, Hughes ventured into the world of Hollywood screenwriting, although his stint was cut short due to the pervasive racism within the industry at that time. Despite this setback, he did receive one feature film credit for co-writing "Way Down South" (1939) alongside Clarence Muse.
In the early 1960s, Hughes' play "Black Nativity" was successfully produced for British television, solidifying his reputation as a talented playwright.
