James Mercer Langston Hughes was born in 1902 in Joplin, Missouri. His parents, James Nathaniel and Carrie Mercer Langston Hughes separated shortly after their son’s birth. (Students 62) Because of their separation, Hughes’ Grandmother, Mary Leary Langston, raised him until her death. She was the first black woman to attend Oberlin College and it was her that was responsible for

the inspiration of Hughes’ hunger for books and his value on education. When she died in 1910, Hughes lived with his family, friends and various relatives in Kansas. (Students 62)

Hughes attended the nation’s first African- American college, Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. (Gale.com 2) He graduated from Lincoln in 1920. Hughes attended Columbia University for a year before dropping out and returning home in 1921. (Students 62) Hughes was subjected to bigotry on campus and in the dormitories where he lived. While at Columbia, he often missed classes in order to attend shows, lectures and readings sponsored by the American Socialist Society. (Criticism 233) After Hughes dropped out, he published several poems in The Crisis. During this period, he also worked a series of tedious jobs while supporting his mom who had recently moved to Harlem. (Criticism 233)

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