Claude McKay

Claude Mckay

Country

Jamaica

Birth - Death

1889 - 1948

Occupation

Writer

Notable Achievements

Order of Jamaica

Description

First black to receive medal of the Jamaican Institute of Arts and Sciences, he used the money from the award to emigrate to US. Inaugurated the Harlem Renaissance with his writings. 'Home to Harlem' (1928) was the first novel by a black writer to be a bestseller. Other books include 'Romance in Marseilles' (1933). Co-editor of The Liberator magazine (1919-1922). Jamaica named him the national poet and posthumously awarded him the Order of Jamaica for his contribution to literature (1977).

See Also

• LGBTQ Participation in the Harlem Renaissance

Further Reading/Research

• http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/claude-mckay
• http://www.biography.com/people/claude-mckay-9392654
• http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/m_r/mckay/cooper.htm
• https://www.poetryfoundation.org/harriet/2020/02/new-york-times-reads-claude-mckays-romance-in-marseille

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