James Weldon Johnson

Date of Birth: June 17, 1871

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: June 26, 1938

Biography

James Weldon Johnson was an American author, educator, lawyer, diplomat, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida, Johnson made significant contributions to literature, music, and civil rights movements in the United States. He was educated at Atlanta University and later became the principal of the Stanton School in Jacksonville. Johnson’s literary works include poetry, novels, and anthologies that explore African American culture and experiences. He is perhaps best known for his leadership within the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where he served in various capacities, including as a field secretary and later as executive secretary. Johnson’s literary contributions include the novel “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” and the poetry collection “God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse.” He is also famous for co-authoring the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, with his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. In addition to his literary and civil rights work, Johnson had a distinguished career as a diplomat, serving as the U.S. consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua. He passed away on June 26, 1938, in an automobile accident in Wiscasset, Maine. Johnson’s legacy lives on through his influential writings and his tireless work for equality and justice.

5 Interesting Facts about James Weldon Johnson

1. James Weldon Johnson was the first African American to be admitted to the Florida Bar Exam since Reconstruction.

2. He co-authored the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which has been dubbed the Black National Anthem.

3. Johnson served as the U.S. consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua, making him one of the first African Americans to hold such diplomatic positions.

4. He was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, contributing significantly to the cultural movement.

5. Johnson was a professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University later in his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Weldon Johnson

1. “Young man, young man, your arm’s too short to box with God.”

2. “Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of Liberty.”

3. “My arm, O man, my arm is long and strong. And I will lead you, man, to the heights of Heaven.”

4. “The battle was not to the strong alone; it was to the vigilant, the active, the brave.”

5. “The final measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Weldon Johnson’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but his contributions to literature, civil rights, and education have made him an invaluable figure in American history.