Claude McKay was born in Clarendon in 1890. He was the youngestof 11 children. When he went to America around 1914 his success led him to become one of the leading figures of the 1920's. (we also know it as the Harlem Renaissance.
One thing not really known about or rather discussed about McKay is his involvement with a lot of Black Radical group. These included the African Caribbeans Cyril Briggs, Richard B. Moore and Wilfrid Domingo. They fought for Black self-determination within the context of socialist revolution. Together they founded the semi-secret revolutionary organization, the African Blood Brotherhood. However McKay soon left for London, England .
McKay's other novels were Banjo (1930), and Banana Bottom (1933). McKay also authored a collection of short stories, Gingertown (1932), and two autobiographical books, A Long Way from Home (1937) and Harlem: Negro Metropolis (1940). His book of collected poems, Selected Poems (1953), was published posthumously.
Becoming disillusioned with communism, McKay embraced the social teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and was baptized. He died from a heart attack at the age of 59.
Sources: If you would like to know more about Claude MacKay you can visit: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/pages/history/story0039.htm
2 comments:
His poem "If we must Die" is my favorite piece of writing and Banana Bottom is a book I believe that every teen should read- Awesome !
Cheers!
Dionne
Dionne, he was a fabulous poet.
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