Biography
James Weldon Johnson: Early Life
-James Weldon Johnson was born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida.
-Originally born James William Johnson - He changed his name in 1913
-Graduated from Atlanta University in 1894.
-Established his own newspaper the "Daily American" in 1895.
-He became the principal of the Stanton School after graduating.
-In 1897, James Weldon Johnson became the first African American to pass the bar exam in Florida.
-His early poems were used as lyrics for his brother's music.
-He moved to New York with his brother and wrote songs for Broadway musicals.
-Originally born James William Johnson - He changed his name in 1913
-Graduated from Atlanta University in 1894.
-Established his own newspaper the "Daily American" in 1895.
-He became the principal of the Stanton School after graduating.
-In 1897, James Weldon Johnson became the first African American to pass the bar exam in Florida.
-His early poems were used as lyrics for his brother's music.
-He moved to New York with his brother and wrote songs for Broadway musicals.
Later Years
-After working for Broadway, James Weldon Johnson was inspired to write lyrics to songs which his brother would compose. Shortly after, he decided to resign as a school principal in order to continue to write songs with his brother and a man named Bob Cole.
-After being dissatisfied with the racial stereotypes in popular music of the time, he decided to take graduate courses at Columbia University in order to improve his literary skills. (1903)
-In 1910, James Weldon Johnson married Grace Nail while spending time in Nicaragua.
-While in Nicaragua, he finished writing his book The Biography of an Ex-Coloured Man, which he published anonymously.
-Became general secretary for the NAACP in 1920. During his time with this position, he created three collections of poems: The Book of American Negro Poetry (1922), The Book of American Negro Spirituals (1925), and The Second Book of Negro Spirituals (1926)
-Died on June 26, 1938 when his car was hit by a train while he was driving.
-After being dissatisfied with the racial stereotypes in popular music of the time, he decided to take graduate courses at Columbia University in order to improve his literary skills. (1903)
-In 1910, James Weldon Johnson married Grace Nail while spending time in Nicaragua.
-While in Nicaragua, he finished writing his book The Biography of an Ex-Coloured Man, which he published anonymously.
-Became general secretary for the NAACP in 1920. During his time with this position, he created three collections of poems: The Book of American Negro Poetry (1922), The Book of American Negro Spirituals (1925), and The Second Book of Negro Spirituals (1926)
-Died on June 26, 1938 when his car was hit by a train while he was driving.