Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, essayist, poet, and civil rights activist whose career spanned over 50 years. She is credited with a wide range of work, including seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and a variety of plays, movies, and television shows. Her series of seven autobiographies focuses on her childhood and early adult experiences, beginning with her 1969 debut, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which covers her life up to age 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.

Throughout her distinguished career, Angelou received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees for her contributions to literature and society.