James Baldwin was born in 1924 in Harlem. The oldest of nine children and the stepson of a preacher, his upbringing was shaped by poverty, religious dogma, and a tense relationship with his strict stepfather. From the ages of fourteen to sixteen, Baldwin became a preacher himself, an experience that some say gave his writing its particular rhythm, tone, and heft.
He wrote his first play at the age of 10, published his first short story at age 12, and, with the encouragement of a few supportive guides in middle and high school, decided to pursue writing professionally. While he landed a few fellowships and gigs writing book reviews in New York, Baldwin did not find early success, and he...
