Maya Angelou
In 1969, Angelou published 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' the first of seven autobiographies and the first nonfiction bestseller by a Black woman. It brought her international acclaim and established her as a leading literary voice.
Finding Her Voice
Born in St. Louis and raised partly in rural Arkansas, Angelou endured a difficult childhood that left her silent for years. She emerged to become a dancer, actor, activist and writer.
A Literary Landmark
Her 1969 memoir 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings' made history as the first nonfiction bestseller by a Black woman. She went on to publish seven autobiographies and acclaimed poetry.
National Treasure
Angelou recited 'On the Pulse of Morning' at Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. She died in 2014 at age 86, revered as a national voice.
Career Timeline
- 1969Publishes 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings'
- 1971Poetry collection earns a Pulitzer nomination
- 1972First Black woman with a produced screenplay, 'Georgia, Georgia'
- 1977Earns an Emmy nomination for 'Roots'
- 1978Publishes the poem 'And Still I Rise'
- 1981Becomes a professor at Wake Forest University
- 1993Recites 'On the Pulse of Morning' at Clinton's inauguration
- 1994Wins a Grammy for the inaugural poem recording
- 2011Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 2014Dies on May 28 at age 86
Biggest Hits
- After a childhood trauma, Angelou was mute for nearly six years, later crediting literature with helping her find her voice.
- Her 1993 inauguration reading made her the first poet to perform at a presidential swearing-in since Robert Frost in 1961.
Portrait: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons