Richard Wright

Born: 1908 in Mississippi

Died: 1960

Author best known for the classics Black Boy and Native Son, he often wrote on controversial topics like race relations.

Was an avid reader but since blacks were forbidden to check out books, he forged notes to be able to use his white coworker’s library card.

The Book-of-the-Month Club chose his Native Son, making it the first book by a black writer ever selected.

Joined the Communist party due to his frustration with American capitalism, probably having alot to do with his own experiences during the Depression.

Wrote: “The impulse to dream was slowly beaten out of me by experience. Now it surged up again and I hungered for books, new ways of looking and seeing.”