James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 - May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and opinion columnist from Joplin, Missouri. An early innovator of jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. In the following recording, Langston Hughes reading 35 of his best-known poems, including Afro American Fragment, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, Negro, American Heartbreak, Dream Variations, Feet of Jesus, Prayer, Fire, Judgement Day, Bad Morning, Could Be, Bad Luck Card, Life Is Fine, Bound North Blues, Miss Blues'es Child, Dream Boogie, Klu Klux Klan, Roland Hayes Beaten, Silhouette, Song For A Dark Girl, One Way Ticket, Graduation, Borderline, Genius Child, Suicide’s Note, A Little Lyric of Great Importance, Motto, Flatted Fifths, Harlem, Democracy, Refugee In America, Tomorrow, No Regrets, Mother To Son, and I, Too.