Langston Hughes

(Febuary 1 1902 – May 22,1967)]

Langston Hughes, known as the poet laureate of the Harlem Renaisance was one of the earliest innovators of a then -revolutionary art form called jazz poetry. His unique literary style and African American themes made him one of the most prominent literary voices of the 20th century. Throughout his life Hughes remained private about his personal life but it is known amongst scholars that he was a homosexual and even included gay codes into many of his poems.