James Emanuel facts for kids

James Emanuel (born June 15, 1921 – died September 28, 2013) was an important poet and scholar. He was born in Alliance, Nebraska. Many people think he was one of the best poets of the 1900s.

He wrote over 300 poems and 13 books. He also helped create a new type of poetry. It was called jazz-and-blues haiku. These poems were often read with music.

About James Emanuel's Life

James Emanuel grew up in Nebraska. He worked many different jobs when he was young. At age 20, he joined the United States Army. He worked for a high-ranking officer, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr..

After the army, he went to college. He studied at Howard University. He also earned advanced degrees from Northwestern University and Columbia University.

Teaching and Mentoring

Later, Emanuel moved to New York City. He taught at the City College of New York (CUNY). In the 1960s, he taught the first class there on African-American poetry. He also helped many young writers and scholars.

Emanuel also worked as an editor. He helped publish a collection of poems by Langston Hughes. Hughes was a famous poet whom Emanuel admired.

Moving Overseas

As time passed, Emanuel became upset about racism in America. In the late 1960s, he was offered teaching jobs in Europe. He decided to move overseas. He taught at the University of Toulouse in France. He also taught at the University of Grenoble and the University of Warsaw. He lived in Paris, France, when he passed away.

James Emanuel's Writings

James Emanuel was known as a poet, scholar, and critic. He published more than 300 poems. He also wrote 13 individual books of poetry.

His Poetry Style

Some people say Emanuel was one of the best poets of his time. However, he was sometimes overlooked. This might be because he wrote in more traditional ways. Also, he moved away from the United States. He also chose not to follow certain trends in Black academia.

Emanuel created a new type of poetry. It was called jazz-and-blues haiku. He would read these poems with music. He performed them across Europe and Africa. For this new style, he won the Sidney Bechet Creative Award in 1996. He also received other important awards for his work.

His Other Works

Besides his poetry, Emanuel also edited an important book. It was called Dark Symphony: Negro Literature in America. This book was published in 1968. It was one of the first big collections of African-American literature. This book helped shape the study of African-American writing.

In 2000, many of Emanuel's letters and writings were placed in the Library of Congress. This is a very important library in the United States. His papers included letters with famous people. These included Gwendolyn Brooks and Ralph Ellison.

Emanuel also edited five Broadside Critics books. He wrote many essays too. His book The Force and the Reckoning was a memoir. This book told stories from his own life.