1. James Langston Hughes ● February 1, 1902 – May 22 1967

2. James Langston Hughes James Langston Hughes was born In Joplin Missouri on February 1, 1902.

3. About James Langston Hughes James was the brother of John Mercer Langston, which was the first Black American to be elected into public office, in 1855. James went to Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio. James started writing poetry in the eighth grade and was known as the class poet. His father wanted him to find a better thing to do than write poetry because he didn't think that he could make a living off of it.

4. About James Langston Hughes James went to Columbus University to be an engineer but after a short time he dropped out with a B+ average

5. Poems written by James His first piece of Jazz poetry was When Sue Wears Red, which was written when he was still in high school. One of the first published poems that James wrote was The Negro Speaks of Rivers, It was one of the most famous poems wrote by James.

6. James Langston Hughes Family James parents name was Caroline Mercer Langston, and James Nathanial Langston. His mom was a school teacher. His father worked for the abolitionist cause, which helped lead the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society in 1858. His parents got a divorce.

7. The Negro Speaks of Rivers I've known rivers: I've know rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyra- mids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I've seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. I've known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

8. What Negro's Speaks Of Rivers What that poem means is that he is trying to compare all the different kinds of people with all the rivers in the world. And he is saying that even though they are all different they are somewhat the same. And he is comparing that with people how everyone is different but somethings are the same.

9. James Langston Hughes – February 1, 1902 – May 22 1967