Fenton Johnson


(May 7, 1888-Sept. 17, 1958)

It seemed to me like trying to walk on the Atlantic Ocean to obtain recognition in the literary world.

The son of a Chicago railroad porter, Johnson produced three acclaimed self-published books of poetry, as well as a collection of short stories, a collection of essays and several plays. He also founded several literary magazines. Though Johnson spent much of his life in Chicago (both as a child and student, including undergraduate studies at Northwestern University), his work is credited as a forbearer to Harlem Renaissance writers like Langston Hughes.

2010 Nominee: Named on 1 Ballot(s)

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Old Poetry

Chronology