The Works of Langston Hughes

"An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose."

— Langston Hughes

The National Endowment for the Humanities has funded a number of projects dedicated to preserving and sharing the works of Langston Hughes. In addition to NEH supported databases, resources produced by EDSITEment reviewed organizations and sites are included.  

Langston Hughes National Poetry Project—This comprehensive website was supported by the NEH and is maintained by the University of Kansas. 

Langston Hughes Center—Founded in 1998 at the University of Kansas, this is an academic research and educational center for all things Langston Hughes.

Poets.org—Biography and collection of thirteen poems written by Langston Hughes. 

Voices and Visions—This biography page on Langston Hughes offers video and audio resources along with links to other resources suitable for student research.

Modern American Poetry—This site provides a collection of Hughes' poems and accompanying criticism to assist with analysis and interpretation.  

Langston Hughes 101—A collection of poems, biographical information, and criticism created by the Poetry Foundation. 

Jazz Poetry & Langston Hughes—A video of Hughes discussing his poem "The Weary Blues" and discussion of his work created by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute—This Seattle institution hosts programming, educational workshops, and events that carry on the spirit of Langston Hughes. 

The Negro Speaks of Rivers (1921)

• The Poem

• Analysis provided at Modern American Poetry

Mother to Son (1922)

• The Poem

• Analysis provided at Poet and Poem
• Performance by Rashad Moore (Roger Williams Middle School), Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading in Providence, RI

The Weary Blues (1925)

• The Poem
• Analysis provided at Modern American Poetry
• Performance by Rose Weaver, Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading in Providence, RI

Po' Boy Blues (1926)

• The Poem

• Analysis provided at JSTOR

I, Too (1926)

• The Poem

• Analysis provided by The Smithsonian Magazine

Dream Variations (1926)

• The Poem

• Analysis provided at Cengage Learning

Let America Be America Again (1936)

• The Poem

• Analysis provided by Modern American Poetry

Dust Bowl (1941)

• The Poem

• Art and the Dust Bowl

"Jazz as Communication" (1958) (essay)

“Langston helped me understand things my parents had said...through Langston, I discovered myself.”

—Dr. Renee T. White, Provost of Wheaton College

In collaboration with the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities and the Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading, EDSITEment has developed this collection of resources to highlight community engagement and student participation around the legacy of Langston Hughes. 

• 2017 Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading in Providence, Rhode Island (video created by Ian Faria). 
• Community Gathers in Honor of Langston Hughes (Article)
• Providence woman is guiding force behind annual Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading (Article)
• Happy Birthday, Langston: The Community Celebrates with a Reading (Article)
• In Conversations--Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading (Article)
• Rhode Island Council for the Humanities

• NEH article "This Shawl Belonged to Langston Hughes (True) and Was Worn by One of John Brown’s Men at Harpers Ferry (Well . . .)"
• NEH funded PBS documentary "I Too Sing America: Langston Hughes Unfurled" (expected release in Fall 2020).
• NEH funded Summer Institute for Teachers: National Endowment For The Humanities Sheds Light On 'From Harlem To Hip-Hop' Institute