A novelist, playwright, poet, and columnist were only a few traits that are commonly acknowledged of this extraordinary person. Langston Hughes was born on February 1st, 1902 during an incredible period for African Americans in Harlem, New York. This phase in New York was called the Harlem Renaissance, which was a unique time were art inspired by African Americans flourished rapidly. Langston Hughes was a well-respected figure that influenced many people with his diverse forms of writing during this time of the Harlem Renaissance. .
Langston Hughes first lived in Harlem from around 1920-1923 while he attended Columbia University. After finding out about the astonishing movement in Harlem called the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes was excited to become a leader in this society. Starting his literature career at Columbia his first limerick "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" was released, which admired the personality of the colored people. This poem also expressed about a time of unfairness and discrimination in America against colored people. This poem was Hughes' first instance of being a leader and helping to inspire blacks when they were not respected by whites for what they could do. Ultimately he showed what the Harlem Renaissance was out to display. .
After Columbia, Hughes operated on a cargo vessel in Africa then later lived in Paris before returning to Harlem because he was so pleased with the artistic movement happening. Back in Harlem he continued to influence the people there with his writings. The first two documents were The Weary Blues and Fine Clothes to the Jew, which made Hughes well respected with numerous people in Harlem. This was because the two documents focused on the working-class in Harlem and what it meant to be colored. His most influential essay "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain" certainly showed that Hughes was a leader.