Claude McKay

Date of Birth: September 15, 1889

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: May 22, 1948

Biography

Claude McKay was a Jamaican-American writer and poet who played a pivotal role in the Harlem Renaissance. Born Festus Claudius McKay in Sunny Ville, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, McKay’s early exposure to literature came from his brother, who owned a library of English novels, poetry, and scientific books. McKay began writing poetry at an early age and published his first book of poems, “Songs of Jamaica,” in 1912, which celebrated Jamaican culture. In 1912, McKay moved to the United States to attend Tuskegee Institute, but he later transferred to Kansas State University. His experiences with racism in America deeply influenced his writing. McKay’s work often addressed themes of social justice and human rights, and his 1922 poetry collection, “Harlem Shadows,” was one of the first books published during the Harlem Renaissance. McKay’s novel “Home to Harlem” (1928), which won the Harmon Gold Award for Literature, was a best-seller that depicted the vibrant life of Harlem. He also explored themes of colonialism and the African diaspora in works like “Banjo” (1929) and “Banana Bottom” (1933). Throughout his life, McKay traveled extensively, living in England, France, the Soviet Union, and Morocco. He was also involved in socialist and communist movements but eventually distanced himself from these ideologies. In his later years, McKay converted to Catholicism and continued to write until his death.

5 Interesting Facts about Claude McKay

1. Claude McKay was awarded the Harmon Gold Award for Literature in 1929 for his novel “Home to Harlem.”

2. McKay’s poem “If We Must Die” became a rallying cry for the Harlem Renaissance and was quoted by Winston Churchill during World War II.

3. He was the first black writer to be published in “The Liberator,” a leading radical publication of his time.

4. McKay’s autobiography, “A Long Way from Home,” was published in 1937 and provides an in-depth look at his experiences with racism and his travels around the world.

5. Despite his association with socialist and communist movements, McKay later converted to Catholicism and wrote religious-themed works in his later years.