Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

1871 in Jacksonville, FL

Death

:

1938 in Wiscasset, ME

Genre

:

Vocal

 

James Weldon Johnson was an American composer, poet, and civil rights activist who was born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the son of Helen Louise Dillet and James Johnson, who was a headwaiter at a hotel. Johnson's parents were both of African American and Bahamian descent, and they instilled in him a love of music and literature from a young age. Johnson's musical talents were evident from an early age, and he began studying piano and violin at the age of six. He also sang in the choir at his church and performed in local concerts. Johnson's parents recognized his musical abilities and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. In 1888, Johnson enrolled at Atlanta University, where he studied music and literature. He continued to perform in concerts and became the leader of the university's glee club. After graduating in 1894, Johnson moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In New York, Johnson became involved in the city's vibrant music scene. He performed in concerts and worked as a music teacher and a composer. Johnson's compositions were influenced by the African American spirituals and folk music that he had grown up with, as well as by the European classical music that he had studied in college. One of Johnson's most famous compositions is "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which he wrote in 1900 with his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. The song was originally written as a poem to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday, but it quickly became a popular anthem for the African American community. "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is still widely performed today and is often referred to as the "Black National Anthem." In addition to his musical career, Johnson was also a prolific writer and poet. He wrote several books of poetry, including "The Book of American Negro Poetry," which was published in 1922 and is considered a landmark in African American literature. Johnson's poetry often dealt with themes of race, identity, and social justice. Throughout his life, Johnson was also a passionate advocate for civil rights. He was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and served as the organization's first African American executive secretary from 1920 to 1930. Johnson used his position at the NAACP to fight against racial discrimination and to promote equal rights for African Americans. Johnson's contributions to music, literature, and civil rights have had a lasting impact on American culture. His compositions and poetry continue to be celebrated and performed today, and his advocacy for civil rights helped pave the way for the African American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. James Weldon Johnson died on June 26, 1938, in Wiscasset, Maine, but his legacy lives on through his music, poetry, and activism.

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