TagRalph Ellison

Ralph Ellison, born on March 1, 1913, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was an African-American novelist, literary critic, and scholar best known for his novel “Invisible Man.” Ellison grew up in a world of racial segregation and discrimination, which deeply influenced his writing. He attended Tuskegee Institute on a music scholarship but eventually moved to New York City to pursue writing. “Invisible Man,” published in 1952, explores the themes of identity, race, and the struggle for self-discovery in a society that often renders individuals invisible. The novel won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1953, catapulting Ellison to literary fame. Throughout his career, Ellison wrote essays and lectured on literature and cultural criticism, contributing significantly to African-American literary scholarship. He remains a seminal figure in American literature, known for his profound insights into the complexities of race and identity in the United States.