Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou (1928- ), American author and poet, best known for her strong portrayals of African-American women. Her most prominent work is her series of autobiographical novels starting with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1970), in which she describes African-American lives in witty, intelligent language thick with rhythm and texture. Much of her work stresses the themes of racism, courage, perseverance, survival, and self-acceptance.

Born Marguerite Johnson in St Louis, Missouri, on April 4, 1928, Maya Angelou spent most of her childhood living with her grandmother in rural Arkansas. At the age of 16 she left school, gave birth to her son Guy, and began a series of jobs, including working as a cook and waitress. In the 1950s she became a nightclub performer, setting in motion what would become a multifaceted career as a singer, dancer, actress, playwright, magazine editor, civil rights activist, poet, and novelist.

Maya Angelou received many awards and honorary degrees, and was chosen to read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton in 1993. Her other works include Gather Together in My Name (1974), Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas (1976), The Heart of a Woman (1981), All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes (1986), and A Song Flung Up To Heaven (2002). She also published Life Doesn't Frighten Me (1993), one of several children’s books. Her Collected Poems were published in 1995, and a collection of essays, Even the Stars Get Lonesome, in 1998.