Today in History: Langston Hughes
Today in History–February 1–the Library of Congress features writer and poet Langston Hughes, born on this date in 1902. Famous for his illuminating and moving depictions of African American life, Hughes was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance movement. Learn more about this treasured American author by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories, primary sources, and teaching and learning resources.
Primary sources
- Langston Hughes images
- “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” sheet music
- “Ballad of Booker T.” by Langston Hughes
- Discovery of a New Writers of Poetry Among Workers at a Washington Hotel Evening Star Washington, D.C., 13 Dec. 1925
- Langston Hughes historical newspaper coverage
Background
- Langston Hughes stories from America’s Library
- Langston Hughes and His Poetry webcast with transcript
- Remembering Langston Hughes From the Catbird Seat
- Langston Hughes: Experimental Folklorist Folklife Today
- Langston Hughes on the Folklife Today Podcast
Teaching resources
- Learning from the Source: The Negro Speaks of Rivers
- Learning from the Source: Ballad of Booker T.
- Langston Hughes’ Drafts of “Ballad of Booker T.”: Exploring the Creative Process Teaching with the Library of Congress August 16, 2011
- The Power of Pairing Poems: Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes From the Catbird Seat March 23, 2016
- Primary Source Investigation – Hughes & the Harlem Renaissance
- Using the Poetry of Langston Hughes to Spark Discussion From the Catbird Seat September 28, 2016
Harlem Renaissance primary source collections & teaching resources