Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison Monument 2013

Ralph Waldo Ellison (March 1, 1914 – April 16, 1994) was an American novelist, literary critic, and scholar. He is best known for his novel Invisible Man, which won the National Book Award in 1953. Ellison's exploration of the social and psychological challenges facing African Americans early in the 20th century has made him one of the most celebrated writers in American literature.

Early Life

Ralph Ellison was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The grandson of slaves, Ellison grew up in a segregated society that influenced much of his work. He attended the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, originally intending to study music and sculpture. However, his interests shifted towards writing, influenced by his meeting with Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, who would become important figures in his life and career.

Career

After moving to New York City in 1936, Ellison became a part of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American culture and arts. During this time, he wrote essays and short stories for various publications, including The Negro Quarterly and The New Masses. His most significant work, Invisible Man, published in 1952, addresses the social and intellectual issues facing African Americans in the early 20th century, including the struggle for identity, the role of the black man in society, and the social dynamics of the time.

Themes and Legacy

Ellison's work is known for its deep exploration of identity and individuality. Invisible Man is not just a story about race; it delves into the complexities of human existence and the search for self in a world that seeks to define individuals by the color of their skin. Ellison's narrative style, blending jazz, folklore, and a profound grasp of the English language, has earned him a place among the great American novelists.

Ellison continued to write essays and critiques after the success of Invisible Man, though he never published another novel in his lifetime. His second novel, Juneteenth, was published posthumously in 1999, edited from thousands of pages of manuscripts he left behind.

Death and Honors

Ralph Ellison died of pancreatic cancer on April 16, 1994. Throughout his life, he received numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Arts. Ellison's influence on American literature and his insightful critiques of society and identity have cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in understanding the complexities of race and individuality in America.

Bibliography

• Invisible Man (1952)
• Shadow and Act (1964)
• Going to the Territory (1986)
• Juneteenth (1999, posthumously published)

See Also

• Harlem Renaissance
• African American literature
• National Book Award