Zora Neale Hurston
- Born:
- January 7, 1891, Notasulga, Alabama, USA
- Died:
- January 28, 1960, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Essayist, Anthropologist, Filmmaker
Early Life and Education
- Grew up in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-Black towns incorporated in the United States.
- Attended Howard University before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College in 1928.
- Studied anthropology under Franz Boas at Columbia University, conducting fieldwork on African American folklore in the South.
Career and Major Achievements
- A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, contributing significantly to the movement's literary and cultural output.
- Published extensively on African American folklore, rituals, and customs.
- Worked as a playwright, novelist, and essayist, exploring themes of race, gender, and identity.
- Faced financial difficulties and relative obscurity in her later years.
Notable Works
- Novels:
- Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937)
- Jonah's Gourd Vine (1934)
- Moses, Man of the Mountain (1939)
- Seraph on the Suwanee (1948)
- Non-Fiction:
- Mules and Men (1935)
- Tell My Horse (1938)
- Dust Tracks on a Road (1942) (Autobiography)
Legacy and Impact
Zora Neale Hurston's work gained renewed recognition in the late 20th century and beyond, solidifying her as a major figure in American literature. She significantly impacted the study of African American folklore and influenced generations of writers.
Her contributions provide essential insights for scholars studying the works of harlem renaissance american literature authors biography and understanding the social and cultural dynamics of the era.