Photo: The Library of Congress from Washington, DC, United States / No restrictions (source: Wikimedia Commons)
James Weldon Johnson was a writer, poet and novelist, born on June 17, 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. James Weldon Johnson died on June 26, 1938 at the age of 67. Schooling on record includes Columbia University. Awards on record include Spingarn Medal (1925), William E. Harmon Foundation award for distinguished achievement among Negroes and Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Credited works include The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.
My Take
James Weldon Johnson commands my deep admiration. A poet, novelist, songwriter, and composer who also led the NAACP, he refused to be confined to a single role. The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man remains a piercing look at race in America, and his 1925 Spingarn Medal recognized a life of consequence. What strikes me most is the rare fusion of artist and organizer in one person, someone who wielded both language and institutional power to push his era forward. In a span of 67 years, he proved that words can be a genuine instrument of social change.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- James Weldon Johnson
- Name (Japanese)
- ジェームズ・ウェルドン・ジョンソン
- Reading
- じぇーむず・うぇるどん・じょんそん
- Born
- June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Goat
- Origin
- Jacksonville, Florida, United States
- Occupation
- writer / poet / novelist / songwriter / composer
2. Background
- University
- Columbia University
Awards & achievements
- 1925 Spingarn Medal
- William E. Harmon Foundation award for distinguished achievement among Negroes
- Florida Artists Hall of Fame
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man | — |
4. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James%20Weldon%20Johnson
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q478450
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was James Weldon Johnson born?
Born June 17, 1871.
When did James Weldon Johnson die?
Died June 26, 1938, aged 67.
Where was James Weldon Johnson from?
James Weldon Johnson was from Jacksonville, Florida, United States.
What did James Weldon Johnson do?
James Weldon Johnson worked as writer, poet, novelist, songwriter, composer.
What was James Weldon Johnson known for?
Notable works include The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man.
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