John Oliver Killens
Encyclopedia
John Oliver Killens was a black American fiction
writer whose novels of African American life received two Pulitzer Prize
nominations.
, to Charles Myles, Sr., and Willie Lee Killens. His father Charles encouraged him to read Langston Hughes
's writings and his mother Willie Lee, president of Dunbar Literary Club, introduced him to poetry. He was an enthusiastic reader as a child and was inspired by writers such as Hughes and Richard Wright
. His great-grandmother’s tales of slavery
were another important factor in his gaining knowledge of traditional black mythology and folklore, which later appeared in his writings. John Oliver Killens planned to be a lawyer.
Killens attended a number of institutions including Morris Brown College
, Howard University
, and Columbia University
but never earned a degree. In 1939, Killens attended Robert Teller Law School for a few years before he joined the army during World War II
in which he became a member of the Pacific Amphibian Forces. He abandoned the idea of becoming a lawyer and concentrated on writing instead.
and focused on establishing a literary career. He attended writing classes at Columbia University
and New York University
. He was an active member of many organizations such as the National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations
(CIO). Around 1950, Killens co-founded a writer’s group that became the Harlem Writers Guild.
His first published novel associated with the Harlem Writers Guild was Youngblood (1954), dealing with a fictional black Georgia family in the early 1900s. His second novel was And Then We Heard the Thunder (1962) about the treatment of the black soldiers in the military. His third novel, Sippi (1967) focused on the voting rights during the 1960s. Two of Killen’s novels earned Pulitzer Prize
nominations, And Then We Heard the Thunder (1962) and The Cotillion or One Good Bull Is Half the Herdhttp://marbl.library.emory.edu/findingaids/content.php?el=c02&id=killens957_subseries1.6 (1971). In 1986, Killens founded the National Black Writers Conference
at Medgar Evers College
where he taught English. In 1987, Killens died of cancer
in Brooklyn, NY.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
writer whose novels of African American life received two Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
nominations.
Early life and education
Killens was born in Macon, GeorgiaMacon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, to Charles Myles, Sr., and Willie Lee Killens. His father Charles encouraged him to read Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes
James Mercer Langston Hughes was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry. Hughes is best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance...
's writings and his mother Willie Lee, president of Dunbar Literary Club, introduced him to poetry. He was an enthusiastic reader as a child and was inspired by writers such as Hughes and Richard Wright
Richard Wright (author)
Richard Nathaniel Wright was an African-American author of sometimes controversial novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction. Much of his literature concerns racial themes, especially those involving the plight of African-Americans during the late 19th to mid 20th centuries...
. His great-grandmother’s tales of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
were another important factor in his gaining knowledge of traditional black mythology and folklore, which later appeared in his writings. John Oliver Killens planned to be a lawyer.
Killens attended a number of institutions including Morris Brown College
Morris Brown College
Morris Brown College is a private, coed, liberal arts college located in the Vine City community of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is a historically black college affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church...
, Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, and Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
but never earned a degree. In 1939, Killens attended Robert Teller Law School for a few years before he joined the army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in which he became a member of the Pacific Amphibian Forces. He abandoned the idea of becoming a lawyer and concentrated on writing instead.
Literary career
In 1948, Killens moved to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and focused on establishing a literary career. He attended writing classes at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
and New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. He was an active member of many organizations such as the National Labor Relations Board
National Labor Relations Board
The National Labor Relations Board is an independent agency of the United States government charged with conducting elections for labor union representation and with investigating and remedying unfair labor practices. Unfair labor practices may involve union-related situations or instances of...
(NLRB) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations
Congress of Industrial Organizations
The Congress of Industrial Organizations, or CIO, proposed by John L. Lewis in 1932, was a federation of unions that organized workers in industrial unions in the United States and Canada from 1935 to 1955. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 required union leaders to swear that they were not...
(CIO). Around 1950, Killens co-founded a writer’s group that became the Harlem Writers Guild.
His first published novel associated with the Harlem Writers Guild was Youngblood (1954), dealing with a fictional black Georgia family in the early 1900s. His second novel was And Then We Heard the Thunder (1962) about the treatment of the black soldiers in the military. His third novel, Sippi (1967) focused on the voting rights during the 1960s. Two of Killen’s novels earned Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
nominations, And Then We Heard the Thunder (1962) and The Cotillion or One Good Bull Is Half the Herdhttp://marbl.library.emory.edu/findingaids/content.php?el=c02&id=killens957_subseries1.6 (1971). In 1986, Killens founded the National Black Writers Conference
National Black Writers Conference
The National Black Writers Conference is a yearly event dedicated to exploring "emerging themes, trends and issues in Black literature." It is hosted by The Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York...
at Medgar Evers College
Medgar Evers College
Medgar Evers College is a senior college of The City University of New York.Medgar Evers College was officially established in 1970 through cooperation from educators and community leaders in central Brooklyn...
where he taught English. In 1987, Killens died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in Brooklyn, NY.