James Weldon Johnson

James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938) was an American writer and civil rights activist. Johnson's first success as a writer was the poem "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (1899), which his brother Rosamond later set to music; the song became unofficially known as the "Negro National Anthem." His best-known book, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, was originally published anonymously in 1912, choosing anonymity to avoid any controversy that might endanger his diplomatic career. It was not until 1927 that Johnson acknowledged writing the novel, stressing that it was not a work of autobiography but mostly fictional. He is the author of several essays, poems and other literary works, which shaped African-American literature of the time.

Main Writing Genre

Historical Fiction

Main Writing Language

African American Vernacular English (AAVE)

Region

African-American