Culture1953–1987

James Baldwin

The greatest American essayist of the 20th century — Baldwin's clarity about race, sexuality, and American mythology was prophetic in the 1960s and becomes more accurate with every passing year.

Origin

Harlem, New York

Genre

LiteratureActivism

The Cultural Record

Discography

No entries on record.

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Often Compared To

Maya Angelou

Literature / Activism — St. Louis, Missouri · 1969–2014

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the first autobiography to make the bestseller list — Angelou's voice, both written and spoken, became synonymous with Black American dignity and resilience.