Timeline of Richard Wright

  • The writer is born

    The writer is born
    Richard Nathaniel Wright born September 4 . He was the first born child of Nathaniel and Ella Wright. Richard Nathaniel Wright born September 4
  • Richard's Uncle dies

    Richard's uncle named Silas Hoskins had a successful saloon and the white citizens were jealous of his fortune so they shot him. Richard and his family fled to West Helena, Arkansas.
  • Richard is forced to leave school

    Richard is forced to leave school
    After he moves several times with his mother and siblings, and experiences the loss of his uncles due to a racial charged homicide, Richard Wright is forced to leave school in order to find work to support himself and his family
  • Richard is shocked by illiteracy

    Richard is shocked by illiteracy
    Richard is dismayed by the illiteracy and lack of education he sees among African-Americans. His income from jobs allows Richard to afford books, food, and clothing for the first time.
  • Memphis Bound!

    Memphis Bound!
    After Richard graduates high school he moves to Memphis Tennessee. No exact date
  • Richard graduates college

    Richard graduates college
    Richard graduates from Smith-Robertson as valedictorian. He refuses to deliver the graduation ceremony speech prepared by the principal and instead delivers his own. He leaves Jackson for Memphis.
  • Joins the Chicago John Reed Club

    Joins the Chicago John Reed Club
    Richard joins the Chicago John Reed Club and writes revolutionary poetry for Left Front. He joins the Communist Party and is hired to supervise a youth club organized to counter juvenile delinquency among African-Americans on the South Side.
  • "Between the world and me"

    "Between the world and me"
  • New York

    New York
    Richard moves to New York City where he works for a Communist newspaper called Daily Worker. No exact date.
  • First Real Book

    First Real Book
    Richard's book named Uncle Tom's Children is published by Harper and Brothers. No exact date.
  • Wright marries Dhima Rose Meadman, a white ballet dancer

    Wright marries Dhima Rose Meadman, a white ballet dancer
    Wright marries Dhima Rose Meadmean, a white ballet dancer.
  • Native Son

    Native Son
    Richard Wright's book native son was published in 1940, written in his early years before his big move to Paris. This book symbolized the trouble and terror he experienced in America.
  • Julia is Born

     Julia is Born
    Richard Wright's first daughter is born.
  • Black Boy

    Black Boy
    Richard's autobiography is published. He first calls it American Hunger but later changes the name to Black Boy.
  • Travels to France

    Travels to France
    Wright travels to France in May as a guest of the French government, is well received by French intellectuals, and stays until December. His first move to Paris opened his creative view.
  • Wright permenatley moves to Paris

    Wright permenatley moves to Paris
    Returning to New York, Wright encounters continuing racism. Wright, Ellen and Julia return to Paris, where they become permanent expatriates.
  • The Outsider was published

    The Outsider was published
    His book, The Outsider, was shortly published after his move to paris symbolizing his interest in existentialism.
  • Emphasis on racial factors

    Emphasis on racial factors
    The Color Curtain: A Report on the Bandung Conference is published in English in March, having appeared in French three months earlier. He places emphasis on race as the crucial factor in resolving the problems of Western and third world cultures.
  • Two Books

    Two Books
    Pagan Spain is published and White Man Listen is published.
  • Richard Wright dies

    Richard Wright dies
    He dies of a heart attack in Paris, France. He was 52 years old.