Barry Beckham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barry Beckham
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| Born | 1944 (age 80–81) Philadelphia, United States
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| Alma mater | Brown University |
| Occupation | Playwright and novelist |
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Notable work
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Runner Mack (1972) |
Barry Earl Beckham is an American writer. He creates plays and novels. He was born on March 19, 1944.
About Barry Beckham
Early Life and Education
Barry Beckham was born in 1944 in Philadelphia, USA. When he was nine, he moved with his mom to Atlantic City, New Jersey. He went to Atlantic City High School.
In 1962, he started college at Brown University. He was one of only a few Black students there at the time. He graduated from Brown in 1966 with a degree in English.
Writing Career
Barry started writing his first novel, My Main Mother, while still in college. He finished it in 1969 when he was 25 years old.
His second novel, Runner Mack, was very popular. It was published in 1972. This book was even nominated for a National Book Award!
Barry also wrote plays. One of his plays was called Garvey Lives!. It was about Marcus Garvey, an important leader who believed in Black pride. This play was put on by a theater group at Brown University.
Teaching at Brown University
In 1970, Barry Beckham returned to Brown University. He became a visiting teacher there. He taught English and African American Studies.
He worked at the university for 17 years. For some of that time, he was in charge of the creative writing program for graduate students.
