Chinua Achebe

Date of Birth: November 16, 1930

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: March 21, 2013

Biography

Chinua Achebe, born Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe, was a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. He was born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, Nigeria. Achebe is widely regarded as the father of African literature in English, with his works providing a critical perspective on colonialism and its aftermath in Africa. His seminal work, “Things Fall Apart,” published in 1958, is considered one of the most important books in African literature and has been translated into over 50 languages. The novel explores pre-colonial life in Nigeria and the effects of European colonialism on Igbo society. Achebe’s other notable works include “No Longer at Ease,” “Arrow of God,” “A Man of the People,” and “Anthills of the Savannah.” In addition to his novels, Achebe wrote numerous essays and short stories, and he was a vocal advocate for African rights and literature. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and honors, including the Man Booker International Prize in 2007. Chinua Achebe passed away on March 21, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

5 Interesting Facts about Chinua Achebe

1. Chinua Achebe was the first African writer to achieve widespread international recognition, particularly for his novel “Things Fall Apart.”

2. He was a strong advocate for the use of African languages in literary works and criticized Western authors for their often stereotypical portrayals of Africa.

3. Achebe was paralyzed from the waist down following a car accident in Nigeria in 1990 and moved to the United States for medical treatment and rehabilitation.

4. He was a founding editor of the African Writers Series, which published works by major African authors.

5. In addition to his literary contributions, Achebe was also deeply involved in Nigerian politics and served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chinua Achebe

1. “The world is like a mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place.”

2. “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

3. “A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. They all have food in their own homes. When we gather together in the moonlit village ground it is not because of the moon. Every man can see it in his own compound. We come together because it is good for kinsmen to do so.”

4. “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”

5. “The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Chinua Achebe’s highest net worth is not publicly documented; however, his literary works and accolades have brought him significant recognition and respect worldwide.