Maya Angelou
1928 - 2014
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of seven autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim. Her poetry collections include "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie" (1971), "And Still I Rise" (1978), and "Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?" (1983). Angelou's work is characterized by its powerful themes of identity, family, and racism, and her distinctive style that combines autobiography with poetry.
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Notable Works
Timeline
Born Marguerite Annie Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri
Moved to San Francisco with her mother
Became the first Black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco
Married Tosh Angelos (took the name Angelou)
Toured Europe with "Porgy and Bess"
Moved to Cairo, Egypt, and worked as editor
Moved to Ghana and worked at University of Ghana
Published "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Published first poetry collection
Published "And Still I Rise"
Recited poem at Bill Clinton's inauguration
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at age 86
Works
Notable Quote
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
Influences
- Langston Hughes
- James Baldwin
- Paul Laurence Dunbar
- African American oral tradition
- Gospel music and spirituals
Achievements
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011)
- National Medal of Arts (2000)
- Three Grammy Awards for spoken word albums
- Over 50 honorary degrees
- Recited "On the Pulse of Morning" at Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration