Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away on May 28, 2014, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry. Her first autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was published in 1969. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X12. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.

• “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1969)
• “Gather Together in My Name” (1974)
• “Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas” (1976)
• “The Heart of a Woman” (1981)
• “All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes” (1986)
• “A Song Flung Up to Heaven” (2002)
• “Mom & Me & Mom” (2013)

Maya Angelou’s works have been widely recognized and celebrated for their powerful themes of identity, family, and racism. She is remembered as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Maya Angelou (1928–2014) was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Here is a brief biography of Maya Angelou:

Birth: Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Annie Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

Early Challenges: She faced a difficult childhood and adolescence. At the age of seven, she was sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend. In retaliation, family members murdered the boyfriend, leading to Angelou becoming mute for several years, believing her voice had the power to cause harm.

Calypso Dancer: In her teens, Angelou became a calypso dancer and singer, touring Europe with a production of the opera “Porgy and Bess.”

Motherhood: At the age of 16, Angelou became a single mother to her son, Guy.

Autobiographical Works: Maya Angelou gained international acclaim for her series of autobiographical works, starting with “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1969). The book chronicles her early years up to the age of 17 and explores themes of racism, identity, and resilience.

Prolific Writer: She wrote several autobiographical volumes, including “Gather Together in My Name” (1974), “Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas” (1976), and others.

Poetry: Angelou was also a celebrated poet. Her collections include “Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie” (1971) and “And Still I Rise” (1978).

Angelou was a prominent civil rights activist and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

She served as the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” was recited at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1993.

Angelou’s later works included essays, plays, and poems, such as “Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now” (1993) and “A Song Flung Up to Heaven” (2002).

In 2011, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

Maya Angelou passed away on May 28, 2014, at the age of 86, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Maya Angelou’s contributions to literature, civil rights, and her ability to eloquently express the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit have left a lasting impact on American culture.