James Baldwin

1924–1987 (age 63)

novelist, essayist

Photograph of James Baldwin Photograph of James Baldwin

Biography

James Baldwin was a groundbreaking African-American novelist and essayist whose eloquent and unflinching examinations of race, identity, and the human condition profoundly influenced American letters. His powerful works, including novels and collections of essays, gave voice to the African-American experience and challenged readers to confront difficult truths about society and themselves. His literary legacy continues to resonate, establishing him as one of the most important voices in twentieth-century American literature.