James Weldon Johnson

James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was one of the United States’ best known African American civil rights leaders and literary artists. The first African American to pass the Florida Bar exam, and author of “Life Every Voice and Sing,” he won international praise as a journalist, playwright, poet, diplomat, novelist and songwriter.

Posts by James Weldon Johnson

Essay of the Month: “Writers of Words and Music”

For every custom there is some sort of a reason. Then if it is the custom generally to ignore or not to accord recognition to the writer of the words to a musical composition on what reason is the custom founded?