Claude Brown facts for kids

Claude Brown (born February 23, 1937 – died February 2, 2002) was an American writer. He is best known for his book Manchild in the Promised Land. This book was published in 1965 and became very popular. It tells the story of his childhood and teenage years in Harlem during the 1940s and 1950s. He also wrote another book called Children of Ham in 1976.

Growing Up in Harlem

Claude Brown was born in New York City on February 23, 1937. His book, Manchild in the Promised Land, shares what life was like in Harlem when he was young. It talks about the culture and challenges people faced there. Many African Americans moved to New York in the early 1900s. They hoped it would be a "promised land," but life in Harlem was often very difficult.

Claude's parents moved to Harlem in 1935 from South Carolina. They had been farmers. They lived in a crowded apartment building. Claude had a younger brother and two sisters. From a young age, Claude faced many tough situations. He often got into trouble and skipped school.

Life in Harlem in the 1950s was very hard for kids. To help him, his parents sent him to live with his grandparents. This was in South Carolina. But Claude still found himself drawn to the difficult street life. When he was 11, he went to the Wiltwyck School for Boys. This was a special school for young boys who needed help.

Help from Dr. Papanek

At Wiltwyck School, Claude met Dr. Ernest Papanek. Dr. Papanek was a psychologist and the school's director. Claude described him as a very smart person. Dr. Papanek encouraged Claude to get an education. Even with this help, Claude still had friends who were involved in street life. He often got into trouble with the law. He had to go to different places for young people several times. Once, he was badly hurt and almost died.

In his mid-teens, Claude tried to make a living in different ways. In 1953, he worked in a clothing factory. But he did not stay there long. His younger brother, whom he thought was innocent, also faced serious problems. In his book, Claude felt that his brother's struggles were because he wasn't prepared for the harsh realities of Harlem.

A New Path

Claude saw how much trouble his friends and community were in. He decided he needed to change his life. He moved to Greenwich Village, a different part of New York City. This was a chance for him to start fresh. For the first time, he decided to get a good education. He started going to high school classes at night. He worked many different jobs to support himself. He was a busboy and a deliveryman.

He also started taking piano lessons. He sold cosmetics while thinking about college. Many of his old friends were in prison or had left Harlem. He felt like he no longer belonged there. A friend told him about Reverend William M. James. The Reverend helped young men from tough neighborhoods go to college. Reverend James tried to help Claude's brother too. But his brother was arrested and went to prison.

Claude Brown graduated from Howard University in 1965. He later studied at Stanford and Rutgers law schools. But he left law school. He found that giving speeches and talks about his life was more rewarding.

Writing Career

Claude Brown's book, Manchild in the Promised Land, has sold over 4 million copies. It has been translated into 14 languages. As of 2002, many high schools and colleges used it in their classes. Some schools tried to ban the book because of its honest language.

He also wrote a second book, Children Of Ham. This book looked at the lives of several black teenagers from Harlem. It did not sell as well as his first book. Claude Brown also wrote articles for popular magazines. These included Esquire and Look. In 1961, his article "Harlem, My Harlem" was published in Dissent magazine.

Claude Brown passed away on February 2, 2002, in New York City.

See also

• African-American literature
• List of African-American writers