A biography snapshot of African-American poet, Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (Jun 7, 1917 - Dec 3, 2000).
"I am a writer perhaps because I am not a talker."
- - Gwendolyn Brooks (1917 - 2000)
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks (1917 – 2000) published her first poem at age 14, and today she is recognized as a noted African-American Poet Laureate. In the USA, February is Black History Month; March is Women’s History Month, and April is National Poetry Month.
Renowned Poet Gwendolyn Brooks, May 1968 - Photo by Howard Simmons
Bio Notes and Life Highlights
Early Life
Ms. Brooks had very humble beginnings. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, but her family moved to Chicago (the Southside, i.e., with the rest of the poor folks) when she was young. When she grew up, she attended Wilson Junior College in Chicago, graduating in 1936.
Almost a decade and a half later, in 1950, she was the first African-American (male or female) to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the category of Poetry. Her award-winning poems were published in a book titled “Annie Allen” (1949).
Later Life
Ms. Brooks utilized her poetic prowess to express her emotions, beliefs, and perspectives. She had very strong opinions about family life, war, and social ethics. Current events of her day led her to adapt her writing style from humor and irony to a more deeply serious tone in order to address politics, racism, and the real assassinations of civil rights activists Medgar Evers (on June 12, 1963) and Malcolm X (on February 21, 1965).
Over the years, her works have reached a wide and diverse audience. She has earned the respect of many for her sincerity, quiet strength, dedication, and her life’s accomplishments have left an indelible mark in literature and in history.
Awards and Honors
The Pulitzer Prize in Poetry she received in 1950 was not her first award. In 1946, she was honored as a Guggenheim Fellow in Poetry. From 1946 to 1999, she received numerous honors. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1988, and in 1999, she was awarded the Academy of American Poets Fellowship for distinguished poetic achievement.
In April 2012, the U.S. Postal Service issued commemorative stamps honoring 10 of America’s best 20th-century poets. Gwendolyn Brooks was one of the 10 poets featured.
Favorite Quotes
This is my favorite Gwen Brooks quote: “I am a writer perhaps because I am not a talker.”
I very much relate to her quote because it describes me. Even though I am not a poet, the quote makes me feel like Ms. Brooks and I are kindred spirits.
Ms. Brooks departed this life on December 3, 2000, at age 83. She died of cancer.
To sum up her life and writings in her own words: “Poetry is life distilled.”
♦
Gwendolyn Brooks born in Topeka, Kansas soon moved to Chicago, Illinois at the age of six weeks old. During her teenage years, Brooks started writing poetry. She gained National fame in 1945 for her collection A Street in Bronzeville. pic.twitter.com/mLYSAbyeun
— umesteem (@um_esteem) February 4, 2020
♦ Additional References:
Raza, Azra. “Gwendolyn Brooks: 1917-2000.” 3 Quarks Daily, 8 Dec. 2017, www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2012/02/gwendolyn-brooks-1917-2000.html.
Chandler, D L. “Little Known Black History Fact: Gwendolyn Brooks.” Black America Web, 7 Oct. 2014, blackamericaweb.com/2014/10/06/little-known-black-history-fact-gwendolyn-brooks/. “Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was a pioneering poet who captured the joys and pains of the African-American experience in her work.”
“Books by Gwendolyn Brooks.” Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/author/list/25128.Gwendolyn_Brooks. A list of 30 distinct works available at Goodreads.com, as of 3 Feb. 2020.
