Ralph ellison

Ralph Ellison's Literary Career

  • Ellison Starts out on a Career Path

    Ellison originally travelled to New York to study sculpture - Not to write.
  • Change in Career Path

    Ellison meets Richard Wright (an author), who encourages Ellison to write.
  • New Job

    Ellison's friend, Richard Wright, helps him get a job with the New Deal's Federal Writer's project. During this time, he also wrote many essays and reviews.
  • He builds up his career.

    Between the Years 1939 - 1944, Ellison writes 8 short stories, and becomes an even more skilled writer. In 1942 he becomes the editor of THE NEGRO QUARTERLY. Finally, in 1944 his story "King of the Bingo Game" is published in the journal NOVEMBER.
  • Ellison Takes a Sick Leave

    In 1945, Ellison becomes ill from contaminated water supplies. While taking a sick leave, he begins to write "The Invisible Man".
  • The Invisible Man

    "The Invisible Man" is published in 1952, by Random House