Maya Angelou was a celebrated poet, author, and civil rights activist, whose 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings stands as a landmark in American literature.
Who Was Maya Angelou?
Maya Angelou was a multifaceted artist and activist, renowned for her contributions as an author and poet. Her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, broke barriers as the first nonfiction bestseller by a Black woman, marking a pivotal moment in literary history. Among her most famous poems are “Phenomenal Woman,” “Still I Rise,” and “On the Pulse of Morning.” The latter, recited at President Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration, earned her a Grammy Award. Angelou’s career extended beyond writing—she was also a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor and singer, and in 1972, she became the first Black woman to have a screenplay produced with the film Georgia, Georgia. Angelou’s activism was equally impactful, as she worked alongside civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Her legacy was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom before her passing in May 2014 at the age of 86.
Early Life
Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Ann Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Her early years were marked by significant challenges. After her parents separated when she was very young, Maya and her older brother, Bailey, were sent to live with their grandmother, Anne Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas. It was Bailey who affectionately gave her the nickname “Maya,” a name she embraced throughout her life.
Growing up as an African American in the segregated South, Angelou faced the harsh realities of racial prejudice and discrimination. Her childhood was further marred by trauma when, at the age of seven, she was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. The man was later killed by her uncles in retaliation, an event that left young Maya so traumatized that she became mute for nearly five years.
Despite these hardships, Angelou’s resilience shone through. A brief relationship during high school led to the birth of her son, Guy Johnson, when she was just 16 years old. To support herself and her son, she worked various jobs, including a brief stint as the first Black female cable car conductor in San Francisco.
Life as a Performer and Activist
In the mid-1950s, Maya Angelou began to make a name for herself as a performer. Adopting her stage name from her first husband’s last name, she embarked on a successful career in acting and singing. She starred in a touring production of Porgy and Bess, appeared in the off-Broadway show Calypso Heat Wave (1957), and released her first album, Miss Calypso (1957).
Angelou’s involvement in the civil rights movement was equally significant. As a member of the Harlem Writers Guild and a civil rights activist, she organized and starred in Cabaret for Freedom, a musical revue benefiting the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which was co-founded by Martin Luther King Jr. Angelou also served as the SCLC’s northern coordinator, further cementing her close relationship with King.
In 1961, Angelou appeared in Jean Genet’s off-Broadway production of The Blacks alongside notable actors such as James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson. Following this, she spent much of the 1960s abroad, living in Egypt and Ghana. During this period, she worked as an editor, freelance writer, and university lecturer, and became involved in the pan-Africanism movement. In Ghana, Angelou connected with Malcolm X, and upon returning to the U.S. in 1964, she helped him establish the Organization of Afro-American Unity, though it disbanded after his assassination.
Angelou’s acting career also flourished during this time. She earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play Look Away (1973) and an Emmy Award nomination for her performance in the television miniseries Roots (1977). One of her most notable achievements was writing and reciting the poem On the Pulse of Morning at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993, an honor that had not been bestowed upon a poet since Robert Frost’s reading at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. The audio version of the poem earned Angelou a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.
Books
Beyond poetry, Maya Angelou was a prolific author of memoirs and even cookbooks. She was recognized with two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work (Nonfiction) for her 2005 cookbook and her 2008 book, Letter to My Daughter.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Angelou’s most famous work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was written at the encouragement of her friend, author James Baldwin. Published in 1969, this memoir details her childhood and young adult years, capturing the struggles and triumphs she faced. The book’s success was unprecedented, making Angelou the first Black woman to have a nonfiction bestseller. It remains her most celebrated work, establishing her as a literary icon.
Gather Together in My Name
Angelou’s 1974 memoir Gather Together in My Name continues the narrative of her life, focusing on her experiences as a young, unemployed mother who turned to drugs and prostitution in California.
Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas
Published in 1976, this autobiography chronicles Angelou’s early career as a singer and actor, offering insights into her life as a performer.
The Heart of a Woman
In this 1981 memoir, Angelou reflects on her life in New York, where she became deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and the challenges of raising her son.
All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes
This 1986 autobiographical work explores Angelou’s years living in Ghana and her experiences as an African American in Africa, blending lyrical prose with powerful reflections.
Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now
In this 1994 collection of essays, Angelou shares her wisdom on spirituality, life, and the human experience, offering inspiration to readers.
A Song Flung Up to Heaven
Angelou’s 2002 autobiography A Song Flung Up to Heaven recounts her return to the United States from Africa and her struggle to cope with the assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., two leaders with whom she had worked closely. King’s death on her 40th birthday led Angelou to stop celebrating her birthday for years, though she honored King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, by sending her flowers annually until Coretta’s death in 2006.