James Weldon Johnson

Bio

(1871-1938) Poet, novelist, composer, songwriter, editor of New York Age. James Weldon Johnson wrote “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” (1912). He was the first African-American to be elected head of the NAACP. He played a large role as poet, critic, and editor during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. In addition to this work, he was editor of “The Book of American Negro Poetry” (1922), an anthology that was the first of its kind. Mr. Johnson’s poetry books include “God’s Trombones” (1927), “Since You Went Away,” and “My City.” He wrote “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” (1900), considered the black national anthem. Mr. Johnson lived in Harlem at 127 West 53rd Street, Manhattan, New York in the 1920s.