Langston Hughes

Louise Jefferson, noted activist, artist, cartographer, and photographer "was socially and creatively active in the Harlem Renaissance during and after her years at college. She was a close friend of the poet, Langston Hughes." Based on other photographs of the artist, Jefferson is estimated to have created this drawing between 1937-1945. By then Langston, had shed his once youthful appearance had lived through the waning years of the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Depression, and World War II. Hughes' hairline was receding, but the expansive body of work that he created had not faded from popularity. According to critic Donald B. Gibson "Until the time of his death, he spread his message humorously—though always seriously—to audiences throughout the country, having read his poetry to more people (possibly) than any other American poet."