Author zora neale hurston biography mother

(1891-1960)

Who Was Zora Neale Hurston?

Zora Neale Hurston became a fixture of New York City's Harlem Renaissance, due to her novels like Their Eyes Were Watching God and shorter works like "Sweat." She was also an outstanding folklorist and anthropologist who recorded cultural history, as illustrated by her Mules and Men.

Hurston died in poverty in 1960, before a revival of interest led to posthumous recognition of her accomplishments.

Early Life

Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama. Her birthplace has been the subject of some debate since Hurston herself wrote in her autobiography that she was born in Eatonville, Florida.

However, according to many other sources, she took some creative license with that fact.

Author zora neale hurston biography mother

She probably had no memories of Notasulga, having moved to Florida as a toddler. Hurston was also known to adjust her birth year from time to time as well. Her birthday, according to Zora Neale Hurston: A Life i