James Weldon Johnson

Famous as	Educator, Lawyer, Diplomat, Songwriter, Writer, Anthropologist, Poet and Activist
Born on	17 June 1871
Born in	Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Died on	26 June 1938
Nationality	United States
Works & Achievements	James Weldon Johnson was one of the first African-American professors at New York University. He also accepted the Spence Chair of Creative Literature at Fisk University in Nashville. His famous works include 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing', which was adopted as the Negro National Anthem.

A multi-faceted personality, James Weldon Johnson grew up to be America's top author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter and early civil rights activist. He also played a prominent role in the Harlem Renaissance, during the 1920s. Extremely ingenious when it came to writing, Johnson is notable for his contribution in poetry, novels, short stories and folklore. His command over literature earned him the position of a professor at New York University and he became the first African-American to receive such an honor. He also took up the Spence Chair in creative literature and writing department, at Fisk University, in Nashville. Childhood Son of Helen Louise Dillet and James Johnson, James Weldon Johnson was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on 17th June 1871. Young Johnson received his preliminary education from his mother and later on, was sent to Edwin M. Stanton School. It was through his mom that he gained the love and knowledge of English literature and the European tradition in music. In the year 1887, Johnson enrolled himself at Atlanta University.   In the summer of 1891, four years after joining the university, Johnson visited the rural district in Georgia to teach the children of former slaves. Apart from earning his graduate degree from Atlanta University in 1894, Johnson also completed some graduate coursework.  Inspired by the achievement of his father, Johnson's self-confidence led him to pursue a professional career. He regarded his education at the Atlanta University as an added bonus, which would help him dedicate his resources towards black people.   Education & Law In the year 1897, James Weldon Johnson became the first African-American to be admitted to the Florida Bar Exam, since Reconstruction. With this, he became the first Black in Duval County to seek admission to the state bar. In order to receive entry, Johnson underwent a two-hour examination before three attorneys and a judge. In the year 1904, he received an honorary Master's degree. Upon receiving this, he headed for Stanton, a school for African-American students in Jacksonville.   Johnson was appointed as the principal in Stanton. With this, he became the principal of the largest public school in Jacksonville. However, in terms of salary, he received only half of what a white would have received in the same position. As the principal, Johnson reformed the education standard and introduced ninth and tenth grades. While algebra, English composition, physical geography and bookkeeping were part of the class nine syllabus, the class ten course included geometry, English literature, elementary physics, history and Spanish.    In the fall of 1916, Johnson was commissioned as the national organizer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and later promoted as the head. In the 1920s, his works as a poet, editor and critic made him one of the most influential leaders in the Harlem Renaissance. In 1930, Johnson resigned from NAACP, to accept the Spence Chair of Creative Literature, at Fisk University (Nashville). In the university, he lectured on literature and also on a wide range of issues related to with the life and civil rights of black Americans. He held the chair until 1938.   Music Throughout his life, Johnson made significant contributions to the field of music. In the year 1901, he moved to New York City, along with his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. Employed in musical theater, he produced hits and blockbusters, such as, 'Tell Me, Dusky Maiden' and 'Nobody's Looking but the Owl and the Moon'. During this time, Johnson also composed the lyrics of the famous song, 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing', which was later adopted by the NAACP, as the Negro National Anthem.   The brother duo became highly successful in their songwriting and music expedition. In partnership with producer and director Bob Cole, Johnson and his brother worked at the Broadway as well. They also participated in the opera Tolosa, which was basically a satirical performance on the U.S. annexation of the Pacific islands. With each success, Johnson climbed up the ladder of African-American society in Brooklyn, New York, and became a part of the upper echelons, or the creamy layer, of the society.   Diplomat Johnson was selected as the US consul of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, in the year 1906. Three years thence, he was transferred as the US consul of Corinto, Nicaragua. During his stay at Corinto, a rebellion occurred against President Adolfo Diaz. Johnson's worth as a diplomat enhanced during the time of building pressure and excessive strain. While working as a diplomat, he became a published poet, with his works being printed in the magazine 'The Century Magazine' and in 'The Independent'.   Literature & Anthologist While living in South America, Johnson completed 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man', which earned him great literary success, acclaim and commendation. The book was published anonymously in the year 1912. Established as a writer, Johnson moved ahead and also earned a name as a proficient anthologist. His anthologies served as an inspiration and source of encouragement for the new generation artists, who would create the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s.   Activist Johnson's years in the Atlanta University provided him the much needed qualities and confidence that helped him become an activist in the later years. During his years of education at the university, he was known as an influential speaker. He won the Quiz Club Contest in English Composition and Oratory in 1892. Apart for this, in 1895, Johnson founded the paper the 'Daily American' and served as its editor. The paper's content was mostly based on political and racial issues of those times. However, the financial crises led to the closure of the publication. Nevertheless, it marked the beginning of Johnson's life as an activist.   Johnson's entry into the political scene came in the year 1904, when he joined as the treasurer of the Colored Republican Club, started by Charles W. Anderson. Just a year later, he was promoted as the President of the club and his profile included organizing political rallies. A decade since his start, i.e. in 1914, Johnson took over the editorial page of the New York Age, an influential African American weekly. His writings for the weekly showed his knack as a political leader and he soon found himself listed among the 'Who's Who of America', eventually gaining national prominence.   It was during the fall of 1916 that Johnson was commissioned as the national organizer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As soon as he took over, he changed the scenario steeply, by involving people in silent parade, rather than the race riots and lynching that pervaded earlier. The massive gathering of ten thousand African-Americans on July 28, 1917, in the New York's Fifth Avenue, showed his influence as a leader. Three years later, in 1920, Johnson was elected to head the NAACP, becoming the first African American ever to hold the prestigious position.   The same year he became the head of NAAC, i.e. in 1920, Johnson was sent to Haiti, to investigate the condition of the area, as it had been occupied by U.S. Marines since 1915. At this time, he published a series of articles in 'The Nation', in which he gave development ideas for reforming the economic and social status of Haiti. In the articles, Johnson also revealed the brutality of Americans in the island country. He was also one of the initiators behind the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill of 1921.   Personal life It was during his years in New York, as a songwriter, when Johnson met Grace Nail. A refined lady, she became an accomplished artist in pastels and accompanied Johnson on a screenwriting project. Later, in 1910, the two tied the nuptial knot. Their wedding took place around the same time, when Johnson was appointed as a United States Consul, in Nicaragua.   Death James Weldon Johnson left for the heavenly abode on June 26, 1938. He was near his summer home in Wiscasset, Maine, when the unfortunate accident took place. His car, which he was driving, was struck by a train. His funeral was held in Harlem and was attended by more than 2000 people.   Awards, Honors & Legacy   A middle school in Florida, James Weldon Johnson Middle School, has been named after him. The United States Postal Service honored Johnson by issuing a 22 cent postage stamp on February 2, 1988. Scholar Molefi Kete Asante's list of '100 Greatest African Americans' (2002) includes James Weldon Johnson. He was honored with a Springarn Medal from NAACP in the year 1925, for outstanding achievement by an American Negro. Johnson was honored with Harmon Gold Award for 'God's Trombones'. In 1929, he was granted the Julius Rosenwald Fund. In 1933, Johnson was given the W.E.B. Du Bois Prize for Negro Literature. In the same year, he was named first incumbent of Spence Chair of Creative Literature at Fisk University Johnson received honorary Master's degree from Atlanta University and honorary doctorates from Talladega College and Howard University   Selected Works   Poetry 1892 - To a Friend 1893 - A Brand 1898 - The Color Sergeant 1899 - Lift Every Voice and Sing 1900 - Sence You Went Away, The Black Mammy 1908 - O Black and Unknown Bards 1916 - Brothers 1917 - Fifty Years and Other Poems 1920 - The Creation 1923 - My City 1926 - Go Down, Death 1927 - God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse 1935 - Saint Peter Relates an Incident 1936 - Selected Poems  The Glory of the Day was in Her Face   Other Works & Collections 1912-27 - The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man 1920 - Self-Determining Haiti 1922 - The Book of American Negro Poetry Harcourt, Brace, and Company 1926 - Second Book of Negro Spirituals 1930 - Black Manhattan 1933 - Along This Way 1934 - Negro Americans, What Now? 1995 - The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson (Posthumous collection)

Timeline:

1871 - James Weldon Johnson was born 1887 - Enrolled himself at Atlanta University 1891 - Visited the rural district in Georgia, to instruct the children of former slaves 1892 - Won the Quiz Club Contest in English Composition and Oratory in Atlanta University 1894 - Earned his graduate degree from Atlanta University 1895 - Founded the paper 'Daily American' and served as its editor 1897 - Became the first African American to be admitted to the Florida Bar Exam, since Reconstruction 1901- Moved to New York City along with his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson 1904 - Received an honorary Master's degree from Atlanta University, Served as the treasurer of the Colored Republican Club 1906 - Appointed as the principal in Stanton, Selected as the US Consul of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela 1909 - Transferred as the US Consul of Corinto, Nicaragua 1910 - Married Grace Nail 1914 - Took over the editorial page of the New York Age 1916 - Commissioned as the national organizer for the National Association forthe Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 1920 - Became the head of NAACP,Sent to Haiti to investigate the condition of the area 1921 - Initiated the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill 1930 - Resigned from the leadership of the NAACP, Accepted the Spence Chair of Creative Literature at Fisk University in Nashville 1920s to 30s - Played a prominent role in the Harlem Renaissance 1938 - Left for the heavenly abode