Maya Angelou
- Born:
- Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928; St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Died:
- May 28, 2014; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Author, Poet, Memoirist, Civil Rights Activist, Dancer, Actress, Film Producer
Early Life and Education
- Raised primarily in Stamps, Arkansas, by her paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson.
- Experienced a traumatic childhood, including sexual abuse at age 7.
- Briefly lived in St. Louis with her mother.
- Attended George Washington High School in San Francisco, California, where she studied dance and drama.
- Received a scholarship to study dance and drama at the California Labor School.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked various jobs, including a streetcar conductor, a fry cook, and a nightclub dancer.
- Became the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) at the request of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Lived in Cairo, Egypt, and Accra, Ghana, working as a journalist and editor.
- Published her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in 1969, to critical acclaim.
- Received numerous honorary degrees and awards throughout her career.
- Recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration.
Notable Works
Published Works
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
- Gather Together in My Name (1974)
- Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas (1976)
- The Heart of a Woman (1981)
- All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes (1986)
- A Song Flung Up to Heaven (2002)
- Mom & Me & Mom (2013)
Film and Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Georgia, Georgia | Writer | First screenplay by an African-American woman |
| 1977 | Roots | Kunta Kinte's Grandmother | TV Miniseries |
| 1996 | How to Make an American Quilt | Anna | Film |
Legacy and Impact
Maya Angelou's work explored themes of racism, identity, family, and resilience. As evidenced in this 'lord byron brief biography of maya,' her autobiographical writings and poetry inspired generations and contributed significantly to African American literature and American culture. Her unwavering commitment to civil rights and her powerful voice as a writer and speaker made her a beloved and respected figure worldwide.