WRITING TO THE BEAT: THE POETRY & PROSE OF LANGSTON HUGHES
An exhibition in the Library Rotunda
Location
Library and Gallery, Albin O. Kuhn
Date & Time
May 18, 2017, 8:00 am – May 25, 2017 8:00 pm
Description
Langston Hughes is one of the most famous African American writers who inspired African Americans to hold on to their dreams of a better tomorrow. Born and raised in the Midwest, he made his home in Harlem, New York, and took part in the explosive creativity of the Harlem Renaissance. Through his unique poetry, which used the rhythm of the blues and jazz, he was able to give voice to the 20th century African American experience by writing about the struggles in a time dominated by Jim Crow. His words reveal a love for his fellow African Americans and a longing for the "American Dream" to embrace its most impoverished citizens.
Hughes was a prolific writer of poetry as well as prose, plays, and at least one movie script. He also edited numerous anthologies of poetry and translated the works of Spanish-language poets, such as Federico García Lorca and Gabriela Mistral. He continued to write until his death in 1967.
The current exhibition in the Library Rotunda showcases some of Langston Hughes' books from Special Collections. They were acquired on the Albin O. Kuhn Endowment and as gifts from Gloria Oden Bell, a renowned poet in her own right and a longtime professor in UMBC’s Department of English. The show was curated by Nathaniel Mesekale, Student Assistant in Special Collections and Graduating Senior in the Department of History, and Tom Beck, Chief Curator.
Hughes was a prolific writer of poetry as well as prose, plays, and at least one movie script. He also edited numerous anthologies of poetry and translated the works of Spanish-language poets, such as Federico García Lorca and Gabriela Mistral. He continued to write until his death in 1967.
The current exhibition in the Library Rotunda showcases some of Langston Hughes' books from Special Collections. They were acquired on the Albin O. Kuhn Endowment and as gifts from Gloria Oden Bell, a renowned poet in her own right and a longtime professor in UMBC’s Department of English. The show was curated by Nathaniel Mesekale, Student Assistant in Special Collections and Graduating Senior in the Department of History, and Tom Beck, Chief Curator.
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