Langston Hughes

Full Name: James Mercer Langston Hughes
Profession: Poet and Playwright

Why Famous: Considered one of the 100 greatest African Americans, Langston Hughes was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry.

He is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He famously wrote about the period that "the negro was in vogue" which was later paraphrased as "when Harlem was in vogue".

Born: February 1, 1902
Birthplace: Joplin, Missouri, USA

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Ox
Star Sign: Aquarius

Died: May 22, 1967 (aged 65)
Cause of Death: Complications after abdominal surgery, related to prostate cancer