Date of Birth: July 6, 1937
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Date of Death: April 17, 1986
Biography
Bessie Amelia Head was a distinguished writer who made a significant impact on African literature with her evocative narratives and profound exploration of social issues. Born on July 6, 1937, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, Head’s life was marked by adversity from the outset. Her mother, a white woman, had an affair with a black man which was illegal at the time under apartheid laws, and as a result, Bessie was raised in foster care. Head trained as a teacher but found her true calling in writing. In 1964, she fled South Africa for Botswana, escaping the oppressive apartheid regime. It was here that she wrote some of her most acclaimed works, including “When Rain Clouds Gather” (1968), “Maru” (1971), and “A Question of Power” (1973). Her writing often dealt with themes of racial identity, exile, and the search for community, drawing from her own experiences and the socio-political landscapes of Southern Africa. Despite her struggles with mental health and financial instability, Bessie Head’s literary contributions have left an indelible mark on contemporary literature. She passed away on April 17, 1986, in Serowe, Botswana, at the age of 48. Her legacy lives on through her works, which continue to inspire and educate readers worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Bessie Head
1. Bessie Head spent the first year of her life in a mental hospital where her mother was a patient.
2. She is considered one of Botswana’s most important writers, despite being born in South Africa.
3. Head was one of the first African women writers to gain international recognition.
4. Her novel “A Question of Power” is a semi-autobiographical account of her own struggles with mental illness.
5. In 1977, she received the South African State President’s Award for her literary contributions.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bessie Head
1. “A discipline I have observed is an attitude of love and reverence to people.”
2. “The whole process of writing is a divine and magical thing.”
3. “I’m not interested in people who are in the same state of discontent as I am.”
4. “I am building a new world, and people are the bricks.”
5. “I write because I have authority from life to do so.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Bessie Head’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but she lived modestly and often struggled financially.
Children
Bessie Head had one son, Howard Head, who was born in 1962. He was a significant part of her life and often mentioned in her personal writings.
Relevant Links
1. [Bessie Head at Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bessie-Head
2. [Bessie Head at Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/bessie-head
4. [Bessie Head Heritage Trust](https://bessiehead.org/
5. [Bessie Head on Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20902.Bessie_Head