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American poet, memoirist, and actress Maya Angelou wrote several volumes of autobiography that explore the themes of economic, racial, and sexual oppression. She is perhaps best known for her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969).
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011) • Grammy Award (2002) • Grammy Award (1995) • Grammy Award (1993) • Grammy Award (2003): Best Spoken Word Album • Grammy Award (1996): Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album • Grammy Award (1994): Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Album • National Medal of Arts (2000) • National Women's Hall of Fame (inducted 1928) • Presidential Medal of Freedom (2011) • Spingarn Medal (1994)
daughter of Bailey Johnson, Sr. • daughter of Vivian Baxter • married to Tosh Angelos • married to Paul du Feu • mother of Guy Johnson • sister of Bailey Johnson, Jr.
Education
George Washington High School (San Francisco, California)
Taught At
Wake Forest University
Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In)
"The Journey of August King" (1995) • "Roots" (1977) • "The Runaway" (2000) • "Madea's Family Reunion" (2006) • "Sesame Street" (1995) • "There Are No Children Here" (1993) • "Poetic Justice" (1993) • "Touched by an Angel" (1995) • "Calypso Heat Wave" (1957) • "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child" (2000) • "How to Make an American Quilt" (1995) • "Talking with David Frost" (1997)
Published Works
"Renie Marie of France" (2004) • "Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me" (2006) • "All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes" (1986) • "Angelina of Italy" (2004) • "The Heart of a Woman" (1981) • "Amazing Peace" (2005) • "And Still I Rise" (1978) • "The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou" (2004) • "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) • "Izak of Lapland" (2004) • "Shaker, Why Don't You Sing?" (1983) • "Soul Looks Back in Wonder" (1993) • "Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Diiie" (1971) • "My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken, and Me" (1994) • "Mrs. Flowers: A Moment of Friendship" (1986) • "Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women" (1995) • "Hallelujah! The Welcome Table" (2004) • "Kofi and His Magic" (1996) • "Mom & Me & Mom" (2013) • "A Brave and Startling Truth" (1995) • "Letter to My Daughter" (2008) • "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" (1993) • "Lessons in Living" (1993) • "I Shall Not Be Moved" (1990) • "Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas" (1976) • "Mikale of Hawaii" (2004) • "Now Sheba Sings the Song" (1987) • "Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now" (1993) • "A Song Flung Up to Heaven" (2002) • "Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well" (1975) • "Poems" (1986) • "The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou" (1994) • "Even the Stars Look Lonesome" (1997) • "Gather Together in My Name" (1974) • "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969)
Top Questions
What is Maya Angelou best known for?
Maya Angelou is best known for her poetry and memoirs, especially the autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969; TV movie 1979), which garnered critical acclaim and a National Book Award nomination.
What was Maya Angelou's first book?
Maya Angelou's first book was the critically acclaimed autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" (1969), which was made into a TV movie in 1979. The book earned Angelou a National Book Award nomination.
Where was Maya Angelou born and raised?
Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri. When she was three years old, she and her brother moved to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their grandmother, though they occasionally returned to St. Louis, where their mother had remained. Angelou later lived in San Francisco as a teenager.
Where did Maya Angelou go to high school?
Maya Angelou attended George Washington High School in San Francisco, California.
Did You Know?
Angelou was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in "Look Away" (1963), despite the fact that the play closed on Broadway after only one performance.
Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at Bill Clinton's presidential inauguration in 1993, becoming the second poet ever to read a poem at a presidential inauguration; the first was Robert Frost, who in 1961 recited "The Gift Outright" at John F. Kennedy's inauguration.
