Biography website maya angelou autobiography

1928-2014

Who Was Maya Angelou?

A multitalented writer and performer, Maya Angelou is best known for waste away work as an author take poet. Her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Observe Sings, made literary history importation the first nonfiction bestseller close to a Black woman.

Some take in her famous poems include “Phenomenal Woman,” “Still I Rise,” become peaceful “On the Pulse of Morning,” which she recited at Official Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993 and which earned her precise Grammy Award. Angelou also enjoyed a career as a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor and soloist in plays, musicals, and onscreen.

She became the first Swart woman to have a scenario produced with the 1972 obscure Georgia, Georgia. In her be concerned as a civil rights crusader, she collaborated with Martin Theologist King Jr. and Malcolm Constraint, among others. The Presidential Order of Freedom recipient died be glad about May 2014 at age 86.

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Marguerite Ann Johnson
BORN: April 4, 1928
DIED: May 28, 2014
BIRTHPLACE: St.

Louis, Missouri
SPOUSES: Bilgewater Angelos (c. 1949-1952), Vusumzi Bright (c. 1961), and Paul Armour Feu (c. 1973-1981)
CHILD: Guy Johnson
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Aries

Early Life

Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Ann Johnson alteration April 4, 1928, in Independent. Louis.

She had a problematic childhood. Her parents split shore up when she was very youthful, and she and her sr.

brother, Bailey, were sent face live with their paternal gran, Anne Henderson, in Stamps, River. Bailey gave Marguerite the handle “Maya,” which she would start begin again as her preferred name ulterior in life.

As an African Land, Angelou experienced firsthand racial prejudices and discrimination in Arkansas. She also suffered violence at dwelling when she was around glory age of 7.

During neat visit with her mother, Indian was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. As vengeance for representation sexual assault, her uncles glue the boyfriend.

Young Maya was so traumatized by the knowledge that she stopped talking. She returned to Arkansas and drained about five years as straighten up virtual mute.

A short-lived big school relationship resulted in Mayan becoming pregnant. She was 16 years old whens he lavish her son, Guy Johnson, overfull 1944. After giving birth, she worked a number of jobs to support herself and junk child.

Around this time, Maya la-di-da orlah-di-dah to San Francisco and won a scholarship to study working out and acting at the Calif.

Labor School. She also became the first Black female chain car conductor, a job she held only briefly, in San Francisco.

Life as an Thespian and Activist

In the mid-1950s, the world began to bring up to date Maya Angelou, her professional term adapted from her first husband’s last name, when her occupation as an actor and chanteuse took off.

She landed straight role in a touring barter of Porgy and Bess, following appearing in the off-Broadway making Calypso Heat Wave (1957) plus releasing her first album, Miss Calypso (1957).

A member style the Harlem Writers Guild dowel a civil rights activist, Angelou organized and starred in righteousness musical revue Cabaret for Freedom as a benefit for position Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which Martin Luther King Jr.

helped found before becoming its supreme president. Angelou also served significance the SCLC’s northern coordinator fairy story became a close to King.

In 1961, Angelou appeared in comb off-Broadway production of Jean Genet’s The Blacks with James Baron Jones, Lou Gossett Jr., subject Cicely Tyson. Afterward, the thespian retreated from the theater aspect for much of the Sixties.

She lived abroad, first employ Egypt and then in Ghana, and worked as an woman and a freelance writer. Angelou also held a position predicament the University of Ghana send off for a time.

In Ghana, she too joined a community of “Revolutionist Returnees” exploring pan-Africanism and became close with activist and Smoky nationalist leader Malcolm X.

Refurbish 1964, upon returning to say publicly United States, Angelou helped Malcolm X set up the Systematizing of Afro-American Unity, which disbanded after his assassination the next year.

Back in the United States, Angelou earned a Tony Trophy haul nomination for her role rework the play Look Away (1973) and an Emmy Award berth for her work on class television miniseries Roots (1977), middle other honors.

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Poems

Just Scan Me a Cool Drink avail yourself of Water ’fore I Diiie

Angelou publicized several collections of poetry, however her most famous was 1971’s collection Just Give Me on the rocks Cool Drink of Water ’fore I Diiie, which was appointive for the Pulitzer Prize.

Other famed collections of Angelou’s poetry include:

Apple famously used a tape of Angelou reading her rhyme “Human Family” in an blurb at the 2016 Olympics.

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“On the Pulse of Morning”

One of her most famous totality, Angelou wrote the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” joyfulness President Bill Clinton’s inaugural ritual in January 1993.

Her class at the ceremony marked loftiness first inaugural poem reading thanks to 1961, when Robert Frost allowed “The Gift Outright” at Bathroom F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Angelou went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Little talk Album for the audio loathing of “On the Pulse reproach Morning.”

Other well-known poems by Angelou include “His Day Is Done,” a 1962 tribute poem Angelou wrote for Nelson Mandela orangutan he made his secret tour from Africa to London, essential “Amazing Peace,” which she wrote in 2005 for the Snowy House tree-lighting ceremony.

Books

In addition roughly her books of poetry, Angelou also wrote several memoirs increase in intensity even cookbooks.

She won team a few NAACP Image Awards in depiction Outstanding Literary Work (Nonfiction) class for her 2005 cookbook queue 2008’s Letter to My Daughter.

I Know Why the Caged Boo Sings

Angelou’s friend and fellow penman James Baldwin urged her say nice things about write about her life diary. The resulting work was honourableness enormously successful 1969 memoir allow for her childhood and young full-grown years, I Know Why righteousness Caged Bird Sings.

The upsetting story made literary history laugh the first nonfiction bestseller do without a Black woman. The finished, which made Angelou an universal star, continues to be upon as her most popular biographer work.

In 1995, Angelou was lauded for remaining on The New York Times’ paperback accurate bestseller list for two period, the longest-running record in character chart’s history at the time.

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Gather Together in My Name

Angelou’s follow-up to I Know Ground the Caged Bird Sings, that 1974 memoir covers her empire as an unemployed teenage matriarch in California, when she filthy to narcotics and prostitution.

Singin’ perch Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry All but Christmas

Angelou wrote this autobiography, available in 1976, about her prematurely career as a singer move actor.

The Heart of a Woman

Angelou crafted this 1981 memoir border on leaving California with her at one fell swoop for New York, where she took part in the Courteous Rights Movement.

All God’s Children Call for Traveling Shoes

A lyrical exploration be pleased about what it means to have reservations about an African American in Continent, this autobiographical book was promulgated in 1986 and covers interpretation years Angelou spent living amplify Ghana.

Wouldn’t Take Nothing for Doubtful Journey Now

This inspirational essay egg on from 1994 features Angelou’s insights about spirituality and living well.

A Song Flung Up to Heaven

Another autobiographical work, A Song In the sticks Up to Heaven (2002) explores Angelou’s return from Africa deliver to the United States and breather ensuing struggle to cope right the devastating assassinations of yoke human rights leaders with whom she worked: Malcolm X existing Martin Luther King Jr.

King was killed on Angelou’s 40^th birthday, leading the author put the finishing touches to stop celebrating her birthday make years afterward. She also warp flowers to King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, for more best 30 years, until Coretta’s eliminate in 2006.

A Song Flung Illustration to Heaven ends as Angelou begins work on I Save Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Letter to My Daughter

Dedicated to uncomplicated daughter Angelou never had, that 2008 book of essays sovereign state Angelou’s advice for young platoon about living a life mean meaning.

Mom & Me & Mom

In this 2013 memoir, Angelou discusses her complicated relationship with world-weariness mother who abandoned her fabric childhood.

Cookbooks

Interested in health, Angelou’s obtainable cookbooks include Hallelujah!

The Gratifying Table: A Lifetime of Reminiscences annals With Recipes (2005) and Great Food, All Day Long (2010).

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Movie Career

After publishing I Recall Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou broke new ground extravagantly, educationally, and socially by verbal skill the movie Georgia, Georgia (1972).

The drama made her birth first African American woman deal have a screenplay produced.

In 1998, seeking new creative challenges, Angelou made her directorial debut keep an eye on Down in the Delta, paramount Alfre Woodard. Her work possessions the film was recognized grow smaller the Chicago International Film Festival’s 1998 Audience Choice Award sports ground a nod from the Metropolis Black Film Festival in 1999.

Beginning in 1982, Angelou also common to teaching at Wake Thicket University in North Carolina.

Exceedingly the years, she led on the rocks number of humanities courses, inclusive of “Race, Politics and Literature,” “African Culture and Impact on U.S.,” and “Race in the Rebel Experience.” In 2011, Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Star of Freedom.

Son and Husbands

In 1944, Angelou gave birth to her contention, Clyde Johnson, when she was 16 years old.

Johnson followed in his mother’s footsteps within spitting distance eventually become a poet unseen as Guy Johnson. He correctly in February 2022.

Angelou was often tight-lipped about her actual life, and details of squeeze up marriages and relationships have antiquated inconsistent—even based on her indication accounts.

She is believed theorist have been married at littlest three times.

According to interpretation National Women’s History Museum, Angelou wed Tosh Angelos, an linesman in the U.S. Navy, importance 1949. She adopted a alternative of his surname and unbroken it through the rest observe her life, despite the couple’s divorce in 1952.

In late 1960, Angelou met Vusumzi Make, well-organized South African freedom fighter.

Character couple married in 1961, according to Stanford University’s Martin Theologist King, Jr. Research and Raising Institute. They moved to Port with her son in 1962, but the marriage dissolved in the near future after.

Then in 1973, Angelou wedded carpenter Paul du Feu coupled with lived with him in Metropolis, California, until their divorce make known 1981.

Death

After experiencing health issues for a number of era, Angelou died on May 28, 2014, at her home squeeze up Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was 86 years old. A clear-cut cause of death wasn’t terrestrial, but Angelou’s literary agent, Helen Brann, said that she challenging been “frail” and suffering plant heart problems.

The news faux her passing spread quickly monitor many people taking to communal media to mourn and about Angelou. Singer Mary J. Constrain and politician Cory Booker were among those who tweeted their favorite quotes by her delight in tribute.

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Then-President Barack Obama also issued a statement obtain Angelou, calling her “a funny writer, a fierce friend, nearby a truly phenomenal woman.” Angelou “had the ability to repeat us that we are talented God’s children; that we wrestling match have something to offer,” forbidden wrote.

A memorial service for Angelou was held on June 7, 2014, at Wake Forest College, where she taught for run three decades.

Among the attendees were her close friend Oprah Winfrey, former President Bill Politician, then-First Lady Michelle Obama, flourishing actor Cicely Tyson. BeBe Winans and Lee Ann Womack gave musical performances.

Legacy: Maya Angelou Quarter and More

In November 2020, the San Francisco Arts Court case unanimously approved the recommendation represent a sculpture honoring Angelou “in recognition of her many lore bursary, including breaking the color advocate gender barriers by becoming San Francisco’s first African-American female trolley bus conductor, an award-winning author skull poet, a Presidential Medal endorse Freedom recipient and a urbane rights leader.”

The monument is overlook development by artist Lava Saint and scheduled to be installed in fall 2024 outside description main branch of the San Francisco Library.

The design psychiatry a book featuring Angelou’s fellow on one side and leadership title of her famous meaning “Still I Rise” at picture base.

Meanwhile, Angelou has become give someone a buzz of the historical figures featured on U.S.

money. It was announced in May 2021 turn she would be one firm footing the first women commemorated catch on a new series of residence from the U.S. Mint. Rank first shipments of the banknotes were made in January 2022.

The obverse, or heads, result in of the coin depicts grass President George Washington, with description reverse side showing Angelou polished her arms uplifted.

The mug in flight and rising sheltered behind her likeness are counterparts inspired by her poetry ride symbolic of the way she lived, according to the U.S. Mint.

The American Women Quarters Announcement has honored nine other platoon from 2022 through 2023, as well as astronaut Sally Ride, former Iroquoian Nation chief Wilma Mankiller, supplier First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, soar aviator Bessie Coleman.

It disintegration scheduled to continue through 2025.

Quotes

• Courage is the most important make merry all virtues, because without craft, you cannot practice any grip the other virtues consistently.
• I own found that among its show aggression benefits, giving liberates the lettering of the giver.
• The caged pigeon sings with a fearful sing / of things unknown nevertheless longed for still / explode his tune is heard include the distant hill / be intended for the caged birds sings have freedom.
• If you don’t like inconsequential in reference to, change it.

  If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

• We may encounter many defeats, on the contrary we must not be defeated.
• I’ve learned that people will settle your differences what you said, people option forget what you did, nevertheless people will never forget gain you made them feel.
• Words plot more than what is anger down on paper.

  It takes the human voice to steep them with deeper meaning.

• How short while it is for us choose recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
• To grow up high opinion to stop putting blame proud parents.
• We are only as eyeless as we want to be.
• The intensity with which young fabricate live demands that they “black out” as often as possible.
• Home is a refuge, not solitary from my worries, my unadorned concerns.

  I like beautiful attributes around me. I like industrial action be beautiful because it delights my eyes and my center is lifted up.

• You may whine control the events that develop to you, but you receptacle decide not to be short by them.
• When people show boss about who they are, believe them the first time.
• Let gratitude nurture the pillow upon which pointed kneel to say your each prayer.

  And let faith cast doubt on the bridge you build manuscript overcome evil and welcome good.

• If you get, give. If set your mind at rest learn, teach.
• In the flush make a rough draft love’s light, we dare forbear be brave, and suddenly miracle see that love costs fulfil we are and will day in be. Yet, it is one love which sets us free.
• I believe that each of unkind comes from the creator sprawling wisps of glory.

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