Date of Birth: July 13, 1934
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Biography
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka, commonly known as Wole Soyinka, is a Nigerian playwright, poet, and essayist. Born on July 13, 1934, in Abeokuta, Nigeria, Soyinka is one of Africa’s most distinguished writers and the first African laureate to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986. His works often explore themes of oppression, tyranny, and the complexities of African identity and culture. Soyinka’s early education was at Abeokuta Grammar School and later at Government College in Ibadan. He studied English Literature, Greek, and Western History at the University College in Ibadan before moving to the University of Leeds in England, where he obtained his doctorate in literature. During his time in England, Soyinka was actively involved in the theatre scene, working with the Royal Court Theatre in London. Upon returning to Nigeria, Soyinka continued to write and produce plays that criticized political corruption, earning him both acclaim and imprisonment. He was arrested in 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War for his attempts to broker peace and spent 22 months in solitary confinement. Despite these challenges, Soyinka continued to produce an extensive body of work, including plays, essays, and autobiographies. Soyinka has taught at various universities worldwide, including Yale, Harvard, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He remains an influential voice in literature and human rights advocacy.
5 Interesting Facts about Wole Soyinka
1. Wole Soyinka was the first African to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986.
2. He spent 22 months in solitary confinement during the Nigerian Civil War for his attempts at peacemaking.
3. Soyinka’s work “Death and the King’s Horseman” is considered one of his masterpieces, blending Yoruba tradition with classical tragedy.
4. He is an accomplished essayist and has written numerous critical essays on culture, politics, and society.
5. Soyinka has taught at several prestigious institutions, including Yale University and Harvard University.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wole Soyinka
1. “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”
2. “Books and all forms of writing are terror to those who wish to suppress the truth.”
3. “Human life has meaning only to that degree and as long as it is lived in the service of humanity.”
4. “The greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.”
5. “Power is domination, control, and therefore a very selective form of truth which is a lie.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Wole Soyinka is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Wole Soyinka has three children: Olaokun Soyinka, Moremi Soyinka-Onijala, and Iyetade Soyinka (deceased).
Relevant Links
2. [Wole Soyinka – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wole-Soyinka
3. [Wole Soyinka – Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wole-soyinka
4. [Wole Soyinka – PEN America](https://pen.org/wole-soyinka/
5. [Wole Soyinka – The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/books/wole-soyinka
