James Weldon Johnson (June 17, 1871 – June 26, 1938) was an American author, politician, diplomat, critic, journalist, poet, anthologist, educator, lawyer, songwriter, and early civil rights activist. Johnson is remembered best for his leadership within the NAACP, as well as for his writing, which includes novels, poems, and collections of folklore. He was also one of the first African-American professors at New York University. Later in life he was a professor of creative literature and writing at Fisk University.
Read more about James Weldon Johnson: Life, Education and Law, Diplomacy, Literature and Anthology, Poetry, Activism, Awards, Honors, and Legacy
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“Whose starward eye
Saw chariot “swing low”? And who was he
That breathed that comforting, melodic sigh,
“Nobody knows de trouble I see”?”
—James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938)
“Young man—Young man—Your arm’s too short to box with God.”
—James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938)
“How sick one gets of being “good,” how much I should respect myself if I could burst out and make everyone wretched for twenty-four hours; embody selfishness.”
—Alice James (1848–1892)
“If you put a woman in a man’s position, she will be more efficient, but no more kind ...”
—Fay Weldon (b. 1931)
“Depend upon it that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)