Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
James Mercer Langston Hughes
By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 4, 2009
1. James Mercer Langston Hughes Marker
One of the most recognized figures of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902 and moved to Cleveland by the time he was in high school. An avid traveler, he credited his years at Central High School for the inspiration to write and dream. The consummate Renaissance man, Hughes incorporated his love of theater, music, poetry, and literature in his writings. As an activist, he wrote about the racial politics and culture of his day. He was awarded the Spingarn Medal by the NAACP. He published over 40 books, for children and adults. Known as the "Poet Laureate of the Negro People," Hughes most famous poem is "The Negro Speaks of Rivers." Langston died on May 22, 1967, and his remains were interred beneath the commemoratively designed "I've Known Rivers" tile floor in the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.Erected 2003 by the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and the Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 75-18.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in
By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 4, 2009
2. Langston Hughes marker and library
Location. 41° 31.279′ N, 81° 37.06′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. Marker is at the intersection of Superior Avenue (U.S. 6) and East Boulevard, on the right when traveling east on Superior Avenue. Marker is in front of the Langston Hughes branch of Cleveland Public Library. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10200 Superior Avenue, Cleveland OH 44106, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Federation of India Community Association (approx. 0.4 miles away); University Circle (approx. 0.8 miles away); Charles Waddell Chesnutt (approx. 0.9 miles away); Union and League of Romanian Societies / United Romanian Societies Carpatina of Cleveland (approx. one mile away); Site of the Home of the Poet Harold Hart Crane (approx. one mile away); In Memory of the Teachers and Children Who Lost Their Lives in the Collinwood School Fire (approx. 1.1 miles away); The History of Hough (1799-1979) (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Cozad-Bates House / Anti-Slavery and Abolition (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.
More about this marker. This particular location does not have any significance in the life of Langston Hughes - it was chosen because of the location of Langston Hughes Branch of Cleveland Public Library.
This marker is incorrectly numbered on its face. It official historical society number is 75-18.
Also see . . .
1. Entry on Hughes in the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History. (Submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
2. Langston Hughes Branch, Cleveland Public Library. (Submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Additional keywords. Harlem Renaissance; LGBT; LGBTQ
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,493 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
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