Author biography
by jordan lutz
Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama. It wasn’t an easy life. Both her parents were once slaves (John and Lucy Ann Hurston), and the family moved to Florida when she was a little girl. Hurston began living with a large variety of family members because unfortunately, Zora Neale Hurston’s mother died in 1904.
Hurston began attending college and worked at various places to afford schooling. Zora graduated with an associate degree from Howard University in 1920. Hurston then moved on and in 1920 she began living in Harlem. Her apartment often was the place for parties and social gatherings. It was around this time that she began having some successful works. Hurston’s life quickly moved forward when she received a scholarship for Barnard College. It was here that she studied anthropology.
In 1927, it was time for Hurston to go back to Florida. Her purpose for returning was to get African American folktales from the community. Hurston published a collection of these folklore in 1935 titled “Mules and Men”. This wasn’t enough for Hurston. In the mid-1930’s, Hurston began looking into the fine arts. She wrote many plays including “From Sun to Sun”. One of the biggest events in Hurston's life was in 1934, “Jonah’s Gourd Vine” her first novel was published. In 1937, Hurston’s most famous work “Their Eyes Were Watching God” was published. While Hurston was having a great time, there were only a few good years left in Hurston’s life. Hurston released her autobiography, “Dust Tracks on a Road”. After the autobiography was well received, Hurston’s life took a bad turn when she was charged with the molestation of ten year old, even though she was able to prove she was not in the country during the incident, people began to criticize her.
While Hurston kept writing, publishing works became a challenge and she began to struggle financially. “Despite her early promise, by the time of her death Hurston was little remembered by the general reading public, but there was a resurgence of interest in her work in the late 20th century.” (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. 4). Hurston began having strokes and died on January 28, 1960. Hurston may have had a depressing end to her life, but the stories she left behind were truly inspiring and influenced many (Biography.com. 13).
Bibliography:
"Zora Neale Hurston." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 08 May 2016.
"Zora Neale Hurston Digital Archive." Zora Neale Hurston Digital Archive. Web. 08 May 2016.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Zora Neale Hurston." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 08 May 2016.
Hurston began attending college and worked at various places to afford schooling. Zora graduated with an associate degree from Howard University in 1920. Hurston then moved on and in 1920 she began living in Harlem. Her apartment often was the place for parties and social gatherings. It was around this time that she began having some successful works. Hurston’s life quickly moved forward when she received a scholarship for Barnard College. It was here that she studied anthropology.
In 1927, it was time for Hurston to go back to Florida. Her purpose for returning was to get African American folktales from the community. Hurston published a collection of these folklore in 1935 titled “Mules and Men”. This wasn’t enough for Hurston. In the mid-1930’s, Hurston began looking into the fine arts. She wrote many plays including “From Sun to Sun”. One of the biggest events in Hurston's life was in 1934, “Jonah’s Gourd Vine” her first novel was published. In 1937, Hurston’s most famous work “Their Eyes Were Watching God” was published. While Hurston was having a great time, there were only a few good years left in Hurston’s life. Hurston released her autobiography, “Dust Tracks on a Road”. After the autobiography was well received, Hurston’s life took a bad turn when she was charged with the molestation of ten year old, even though she was able to prove she was not in the country during the incident, people began to criticize her.
While Hurston kept writing, publishing works became a challenge and she began to struggle financially. “Despite her early promise, by the time of her death Hurston was little remembered by the general reading public, but there was a resurgence of interest in her work in the late 20th century.” (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. 4). Hurston began having strokes and died on January 28, 1960. Hurston may have had a depressing end to her life, but the stories she left behind were truly inspiring and influenced many (Biography.com. 13).
Bibliography:
"Zora Neale Hurston." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 08 May 2016.
"Zora Neale Hurston Digital Archive." Zora Neale Hurston Digital Archive. Web. 08 May 2016.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Zora Neale Hurston." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 08 May 2016.