How Many Books Did Maya Angelou Write - Poetry & Poets (2024)

Maya Angelou was an American author, poet, civil rights activist, and a prolific writer. She penned over 30 books, including the celebrated autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. How many books did Maya Angelou write? In total, she published 36 books, some of which were written in collaboration with other authors.

The bulk of her writings were autobiographical works. Her first published book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for literature in 1970. She wrote 10 other autobiographical books which were published over the course of her lifetime. This includes her 1969 memoir, Gather Together in My Name, and 1996’s All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes.

Aside from autobiographical works, Angelou also wrote poetry collections and books for children. She released her first collection of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die, in 1971. In total, she published seven volumes of poetry, including Phenomenal Woman, A Brave and Startling Truth, And Still I Rise, and Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing?.

Angelou wrote six books chronicling the experiences of being African American. These include poems, essays, and contributions to compilations. The works address a wide range of topics, from the civil rights movement and other social justice concerns, to stories unique to the black experience. Additionally, Angelou wrote several books for children aged five and up, sharing stories of African-American culture.

You might likeWhat did emily dickinson want when people read her poems?

Maya Angelou wrote books that were meant to both entertain and educate. With her trademark lyrical prose, she crafted works that both chronicled her life and delved into matters of race and identity. Her extensive body of work is highly celebrated and remains relevant today.

Poetry

In addition to her autobiographical works and books for children, Maya Angelou wrote many volumes of poetry. Her 1971 debut collection, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Die, was about the hard realities of being black in the United States. Her later collections are among the most iconic works of American literature. Phenomenal Woman (1978) is an ode to female beauty, while And Still I Rise (1978) is an inspirational poem about perseverance. In 1993, she released six sonnets as a collection called The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou.

Other poetry collections from Angelou include The Heart of a Woman (1981), Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing? (1983), and On the Pulse of Morning (1993). The poetry of Maya Angelou is often adapted for both stage and film. Additionally, her works are widely studied by students in schools and universities.

Essay Collections

In addition to her poetry collections, Maya Angelou also wrote collections of essays and contributions to compilations. Her 1993 work, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now, is a collection of essays that explore the diversity of experience among African-Americans. Her 1996 work, Even the Stars Look Lonesome, is structured around topics like hope, friendship, and love. She also wrote several collections in collaboration with other authors, such as A Song Flung Up to Heaven with Dave Brubeck and Conversations with Maya Angelou with Oprah Winfrey.

You might likeHow To Rhyme Poetry

Angelou’s essays were often about the realities of race and the power of the individual to overcome prejudice and injustice. She sought to educate and empower readers, particularly those from marginalized communities, to stand up for themselves and confront systemic oppression.

Collaborations

Maya Angelou wrote several works in collaboration with other authors. In 1994, she collaborated with Dave Brubeck in A Song Flung Up to Heaven, a collection of poems and stories about racial injustice in the United States. Angelou also collaborated with Oprah Winfrey on several books, including letters, essays, and conversations. Their 2003 work, Letter to My Daughter, is a collection of letters of wisdom and advice meant to provide solace and inspiration.

Additionally, Angelou wrote several plays and contributed to compilations of essays and poetry. Examples of these works include 1993’s Six Women: Black/White Relationships in American History and the poetry anthology In Search of Color Everywhere (1996).

Shorter Works

In addition to her longer works, Angelou wrote several short works, such as essays, speeches, and articles, for both scholarly and popular publications. These included contributions to anthologies such as Rejoice! Celebrating Black Families (1996), and works such as A Cup of Sun (1953), The Rejected Woman (1965), and Mass Appeal (1983), a play about life in the Church.

You might likeHow To Make Poetry Reels On Instagram

Maya Angelou also wrote short stories, plays, and screenplays. In 1981, her work Henrika was adapted into a made-for-TV film. She wrote more than a dozen plays, including the Tony Award-nominated Cabaret for Freedom. Additionally, she wrote a screenplay for the 1987 film Sister, Sister.

Legacy

Maya Angelou was one of the most celebrated writers of the twentieth century. Her works demonstrate her commitment to social justice, her unique and lyrical voice, and her vivid recounting of her experiences. Her body of work has been highly celebrated and continues to be relevant today.

Angelou was often cited as an influence by many authors, including James Baldwin, Edward P. Jones, and even Beyoncé. Additionally, her works have been adapted for both the stage and screen. She was the first African-American member of the National Association of Writers and Editors and recipient of the National Book Awards. In total, she wrote over 36 books, making her one of the most prolific authors of the twentieth century.

How Many Books Did Maya Angelou Write - Poetry & Poets (2024)

FAQs

How Many Books Did Maya Angelou Write - Poetry & Poets? ›

Answer and Explanation:

What was the most famous book that Maya Angelou wrote during her lifetime? ›

In 1969, Angelou published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography of her early life. Her tale of personal strength amid childhood trauma and racism resonated with readers and was nominated for the National Book Award.

What are the seven autobiographies of Maya Angelou? ›

Maya Angelou's Autobiography Series Order
  • I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Book.
  • Gather Together In My Name Book.
  • Singin' And Swingin' And Gettin' Merry Like Christmas Book.
  • The Heart Of A Woman Book.
  • All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes Book.
  • A Song Flung Up To Heaven Book.
  • Mom & Me & Mom Book.

Did Maya Angelou write any children's books? ›

Discovering Angelou's Poetry Books for Kids

We have three books in particular in mind: Life Doesn't Frighten Me (1993); Kofi and His Magic (1996); and My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken, and Me (2003). Life Doesn't Frighten Me is an incredible book.

What poetry is Maya Angelou known for? ›

Some of her famous poems include “Phenomenal Woman,” “Still I Rise,” and “On the Pulse of Morning,” which she recited at President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993 and which earned her a Grammy Award. Angelou also enjoyed a career as a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor and singer in plays, musicals, and onscreen.

How many poems did Maya Angelou wrote in her lifetime? ›

The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou, published by Random House in 1994 contains 167 poems, including the poem she wrote and read at the inauguration of President Clinton, "On the Pulse of Morning." Following that compilation, Maya Angelou wrote and published another 7 poems including "Mother: A Cradle to Hold ...

How much books did Maya Angelou make? ›

She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.

What is Maya Angelou's most famous book? ›

With nearly half a million ratings, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is the most popular Maya Angelou book according to Goodreads members. The first in a series of autobiographies, this memoir shares Maya's experience with being sent to live with her grandmother and the traumatic event that changed her life.

What is Maya Angelou's most famous poetry collection? ›

Angelou's most famous work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), deals with her early years in Long Beach, St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas, where she lived with her brother and paternal grandmother.

Did Maya Angelou have a child at 16? ›

Whatever he missed, he himself is a great father today. He was once asked what it was like growing up in Maya Angelou's shadow, and he said, “I always thought I was in her light.” Years later, when I was married, I wanted to have more children, but I couldn't conceive. Isn't it wonderful that I had a child at 16?

Why did Maya Angelou stop speaking as a child? ›

Her rapist was found guilty but spent only a single day in jail. After his release, he was beaten to death. Consequently, little Maya simply stopped speaking. “I thought, my voice killed him,” Maya Angelou wrote in her first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, “I killed that man because I told his name.

How many books of essays did Maya Angelou write? ›

Angelou has also published five books of poetry, including I Shall Not Be Moved, three books of essays, including Letter to My Daughter, a children's book, and six long-form poems, including “Mother” and “On the Pulse of Morning,” which she read at the 1992 inauguration of President William Jefferson Clinton.

What was Maya Angelou's first book? ›

Maya Angelou's first autobiographical work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), gained critical acclaim and a National Book Award nomination. Her best known poem is perhaps On the Pulse of Morning, which she composed and delivered for the inauguration of U.S. Pres.

How many autobiographies did Maya Angelou write? ›

The works of Maya Angelou encompass autobiography, plays, poetry, and teleplays. She also had an active directing, acting, and speaking career. She is best known for her books, including her series of seven autobiographies, starting with the critically acclaimed I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969).

How many times did Maya Angelou marry? ›

Angelou married three times in her life. The first, to Greek carpenter Tosh Angelos (1949-52), the second to South African activist Vusumzi L. Make (1960-63) and the third to carpenter Paul du Feu (1973-80).

What was Maya Angelou's most famous writing? ›

Angelou's most famous work, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), deals with her early years in Long Beach, St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas, where she lived with her brother and paternal grandmother.

What was Maya Angelou most famous? ›

A poet, singer, autobiographer, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou inspires us with both the beauty and the call to action of her words. Her most famous work is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an autobiography about her childhood. The book is a testament to the need for resilience in the face of discrimination.

What has Maya Angelou wrote? ›

This collection contains all of Maya Angelou's published poetry: Just Give Me A Cool Drink of Water 'fore I Die (1971); Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well (1975); And Still I Rise (1978); Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? (1983); I Shall Not Be Moved (1990); and On the Pulse of Morning (1993), a poem written for ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6208

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.