Dorothy West (1907 – 1998) was a novelist and short story writer who was part of the Harlem Renaissance. She is best known for her novel The Living Is Easy, about the life of an upper-class black family. Dorothy West may refer to: Dorothy West, American novelist Dottie West, American country music singer Category: ... This article is in need of attention. ... The Harlem Renaissance (also known as the Black Literary Renaissance and New Negro Renaissance) refers to the blooming of African American cultural and intellectual life during the 1920s and 1930s. ... Upper class refers to the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. ...

Early years

West was born in Boston on June 2, 1907, to Isaac Christopher West, an emancipated slave who later became a successful businessman, and Rachel Pease Benson, one of 22 children. West reportedly wrote her first story at the age of 7. At age 14, she won several local writing competitions. is the 153rd day of the year (154th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1907 (MCMVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

In 1926, West tied for second place in a writing contest sponsored by Opportunity, a journal published by the National Urban League, with her short story "The Typewriter". The person West tied with was future novelist Zora Neale Hurston. National Urban League Logo The National Urban League (NUL) is a nonpartisan civil rights organization based in New York City that advocates on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. ... Zora Neale Hurston (January 7, 1891 – January 28, 1960) was an American folklorist and author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, best known for the 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. ...

Harlem Renaissance

Main article: Harlem Renaissance

Shortly before winning, West moved to Harlem with her cousin, the poet Helene Johnson. There West met other writers of the Harlem Renaissance, including Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, and the novelist Wallace Thurman. Hughes gave West the nickname of "The Kid", by which she was known during her time in Harlem. The Harlem Renaissance (also known as the Black Literary Renaissance and New Negro Renaissance) refers to the blooming of African American cultural and intellectual life during the 1920s and 1930s. ... For other uses, see Harlem (disambiguation). ... Helen Johnson, who was better known as Helene Johnson (1906-1995) was an African American poet during the Harlem Renaissance. ... Langston Hughes (February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and columnist. ... Countee Cullen, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941 Countee Cullen (May 30, 1903–January 9, 1946) was an African-American Romantic poet and an active participant in the Harlem Renaissance. ... Wallace Henry Thurman (1902-1934) was an African American novelist during the Harlem Renaissance. ...

West's principal contribution to the Harlem Renaissance was to publish the magazine Challenge, which she founded in 1934 with $40. She also published the magazines successor, New Challenge. These magazines were among the first to publish literature featuring realistic portrayals of African Americans. Among the works published were Richard Wright's groundbreaking essay "Blueprint for Negro Writing," together with writings by Margaret Walker and Ralph Ellison. For other persons of the same name, see Richard Wright. ... Dr. Margaret Abigail Walker Alexander (July 7, 1915-November 30, 1998) was an American poet and author born in Birmingham, Alabama. ... Ralph Ellison (March 1, 1914[1] – April 16, 1994) was a scholar and writer. ...

Literary works

After both magazines folded because of insufficient financing, West worked for the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project until the mid-1940s. During this time she wrote a number of short stories for the New York Daily News. She then moved to Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, where she wrote her first novel, The Living Is Easy. Published in 1948, her novel was well received critically but did not sell many copies. WPA Graphic The Works Progress Administration (later Work Projects Administration, abbreviated WPA), was created on May 6, 1935 by Presidential order (Congress funded it annually but did not set it up). ... Poster advertising a Federal Writers Project publication. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Map of Marthas Vineyard. ...

In the four decades after, West worked as a journalist, primarily writing for a small newspaper on Martha's Vineyard. In 1982 a feminist press brought The Living Is Easy back into print, giving new attention to West and her role in the Harlem Renaissance. As a result of this attention, at age 85 West finally finished a second novel, titled The Wedding. Published in 1995, the novel was a best-seller and resulted in the publication of a collection of West's short stories and reminiscences called The Richer, the Poorer. Oprah Winfrey turned the novel into a two-part television miniseries, The Wedding. Feminism is a social theory and political movement primarily informed and motivated by the experience of women. ... Oprah Winfrey, (born January 29, 1954) is a multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history. ... The Wedding is a 1998 television film directed by Charles Burnett. ...

West died on August 16, 1998, at the age of 91. At her death, she was the last surviving member of the Harlem Renaissance. is the 228th day of the year (229th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

See also

• African-American literature

African-American literature is literature written by, usually about, and sometimes specifically for African-Americans. ...

References

Shockley, Ann Allen, Afro-American Women Writers 1746-1933: An Anthology and Critical Guide, New Haven, Connecticut: Meridian Books, 1989. ISBN 0-452-00981-2

External links

• Biography and information about West from the University of Minnesota's VG: Voices from the Gaps (Women Artists and Writers of Color, An International Website)