Richard Bruce Nugent facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Bruce Nugent
|
|
|---|---|
Nugent in 1982
|
|
| Born | July 2, 1906 Washington, D.C., US
|
| Died | May 27, 1987 (aged 80) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Bruce Nugent, Richard Bruce, Ricardo Nugent di Dosceta |
| Occupation | Author, artist, actor, dancer |
| Known for | Paintings, writings |
Richard Bruce Nugent (born July 2, 1906 – died May 27, 1987) was an American writer and painter. He was an important figure in the Harlem Renaissance. This was a time when African-American art, music, and literature flourished in the 1920s and 1930s. Nugent was known for his unique way of showing black culture through his art and stories.
Contents
About Richard Bruce Nugent
Early Life and Art
Richard Bruce Nugent was born in Washington, D.C., on July 2, 1906. His parents were Richard H. Nugent, Jr. and Pauline Minerva Bruce. He finished high school in 1920. After his father passed away, he moved to New York City.
Nugent told his mother he wanted to spend his life creating art. She was worried because he wasn't interested in a steady job. So, she sent him to live with his grandmother in Washington, D.C. While there, he met famous writers like Langston Hughes and Georgia Douglas Johnson. They became good friends and worked on projects together.
A Creative Career
In 1925, Richard Bruce Nugent's first writings were published. These included a poem called "Shadow" and a short story titled "Sahdji." Most of his life and career happened in Harlem, New York City. He passed away on May 27, 1987, in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Before focusing fully on art, Nugent worked different jobs. He sold hats, delivered goods, and worked as a bellhop.
From 1926 to 1928, Nugent lived with writer Wallace Thurman in Harlem. This led to his story "Smoke, Lilies, and Jade" being published. It appeared in Thurman's magazine, Fire!!.
Many of Nugent's drawings were also featured in Fire!! magazine. In 1931, four of his paintings were shown in an exhibition. This was at the Harmon Foundation, which supported black artists. His only book, Beyond Where the Stars Stood Still, was released in 1945.
In the late 1930s, Nugent worked on the Federal Writers' Project. He joined other famous Harlem Renaissance writers like Claude McKay and Ralph Ellison. For this project, he wrote short biographies of people.
Community Work
Richard Bruce Nugent was also involved in his community. In 1952, he married Grace Marr. Their marriage lasted until her death in 1969.
In the 1960s, Nugent helped start the Harlem Cultural Council. This group worked to get money for arts programs in Harlem. They also helped with the building of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Nugent was very active in this council. He was even chosen as a co-chair, which is like a vice president.
Dance and Performance
While Nugent was known for his writing and art, he also spent many years as a dancer. He performed in shows like Run, Little Chillun in 1933. He also toured for two years in a production of Porgy in 1929.
In the 1940s, he joined the William's Negro Ballet Company. He also danced with other groups, including Hemsley Winfield and Asadata Dafora. Nugent was a talented artist who explored many different forms of expression.
Images for kids
-
Nugent in 1982
