34 Interesting Facts about James Weldon Johnson

Dan April 23, 2023

James Weldon Johnson was an American writer, diplomat, and civil rights activist who was born in 1871 in Jacksonville, Florida. He studied at Atlanta University and Columbia University and became the first African-American to pass the Florida Bar examination. He worked as a lawyer, educator, and civil rights activist, and he was a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in the early 20th century.

As a writer, Johnson was known for his poetry, novels, and anthologies. He co-wrote with his brother J. Rosamond Johnson the famous song “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which has become known as the “Black National Anthem.” Johnson’s novel “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” is considered a groundbreaking work of literature for its portrayal of a mixed-race protagonist who passes as white.

In addition to his literary achievements, Johnson served as a U.S. consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua, becoming the first African-American to hold such a position. He also worked as a professor at New York University and Fisk University. Johnson was a prominent voice in the civil rights movement, and he used his literary and diplomatic skills to advocate for equal rights and justice for African Americans.

Johnson passed away in 1938 in a car accident, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazing writer, diplomat, and civil rights leader. His contributions to American literature and civil rights continue to inspire and influence generations to come.

Let’s take a look at these 34 interesting facts about James Weldon Johnson to know more about him.

1. James Weldon Johnson was born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida.
2. He was the son of Helen Louise Dillet, a Bahamian immigrant, and James Johnson, a headwaiter and hotel steward.
3. He was the youngest of five children and had three brothers and one sister.
4. Johnson attended Atlanta University, where he graduated with honors in 1894.
5. After college, he worked as a teacher in Stanton, Virginia, and then in Jacksonville, Florida.
6. In 1898, Johnson passed the Florida bar exam and became the first African American to be admitted to the Florida bar.
7. He went on to work as a lawyer in Jacksonville and later in New York City, New York.
8. Johnson married Grace Nail in 1910, and they had no children.
9. He co-wrote the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with his brother J. Rosamond Johnson in 1900.
10. “Lift Every Voice and Sing” became known as the “Black National Anthem” and was later adopted by the NAACP.
11. Johnson’s first book of poems, “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man,” was published anonymously in 1912.
12. The book was later republished under his own name and is considered a classic of African American literature.
13. Johnson became the first African American to pass the bar exam in New York in 1913.
14. In 1916, he became the national organizer for the NAACP and served in that role until 1918.
15. Johnson was appointed as the first African American executive secretary of the NAACP in 1920.
16. He served as the U.S. consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua from 1906 to 1913.
17. Johnson was the first African American to hold a diplomatic post under a Republican president.
18. He was also the first African American to hold a diplomatic post in Latin America.
19. In 1923, Johnson became a professor of creative literature at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
20. He later served as a professor of literature at New York University.
21. Johnson wrote several novels, including “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man,” “Sylvia’s Story,” and “Black Manhattan.”
22. He also wrote an anthology of African American poetry titled “The Book of American Negro Poetry.”
23. Johnson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first intercollegiate fraternity for African American men.
24. He was also a member of the literary group known as the Harlem Renaissance.
25. Johnson’s brother J. Rosamond Johnson was a composer and musician who wrote several popular songs, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
26. Johnson was a close friend of the writer and activist W. E. B. Du Bois.
27. Johnson and his wife Grace were members of the Baháʼí Faith, a religion that emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind.
28. Johnson was a talented musician and played several instruments, including the piano and violin.
29. He was also a skilled athlete and played on the basketball and baseball teams in college.
30. Johnson was a supporter of the Republican Party and campaigned for the party in the 1920 presidential election.
31. He was a critic of the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
32. Johnson was killed in a car accident on June 26, 1938, in Wiscasset, Maine.
33. His death was mourned by many prominent African American writers and activists, including Langston Hughes and Paul Robeson.
34. Johnson was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, in recognition of his contributions to American music through his work on “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and other compositions.

James Weldon Johnson was a trailblazing figure in American history who left an indelible mark on literature, music, and civil rights activism. As a writer, diplomat, and educator, Johnson paved the way for future generations of African Americans to achieve success and make their voices heard. His work on “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and other compositions helped to define the African American experience and inspire generations of activists and artists. Johnson’s legacy continues to inspire and inform our understanding of American history, culture, and identity, making him an enduring symbol of courage, creativity, and perseverance.