Claude McKay

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Claude McKay Claude McKay was one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century African American literature. He was known world wide from the West Indies to the United States to Africa all the way to his birth place Jamaica. When mentioning controversial writers, Claude McKay comes to mind. He was first of many African American writers who would become known for speaking their minds through literature during the early 1900's. He also used his gift of creativity with words to express his feelings on various issues such as politics, human rights, and racism. (African American Writers, 305) Claude McKay who's real name is Festus Claudius McKay was born September 15th in the year of 1890. He was born on his family farm in Sunny Ville located in the mountainous center of upper Clarendon Parish in Jamaica. Of the eleven children Thomas Francis McKay (father) and Hannah Ann Elizabeth Edwards (mother) conceived, Claude was the youngest. Thomas and Hannah managed to successfully home school all of there children including Claude up until the age of seven when he was sent to stay with his older brother U'Theo. "U'Theo became a planter, businessman, and civic leader well known throughout Jamaica." (African American Writers, 307) U'Theo was just beginning his career as a school teacher when a young Claude began his stay with him. Claude received an education from his older brother until the age of fourteen. This was to the benefit of Claude due to the fact that his brother was a graduate from Mico Teachers College in Kingston. Claude began to read a lot and by the age of ten he began writing poetry. He then entered a trade school in 1906 but was forced to return home when the school he had attended was destroyed by an earthquake. (www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/m_r/mckay/life.htm) Shortly after returning from trade school Claude served on the island constabulary where he heard many complaints from the islands black peasants about earning a living in and around Kingston.

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