Ishmael Reed

Poet

Birthday February 22, 1938

Birth Sign Pisces

Birthplace Chattanooga, TN

Age 86 years old

#185171 Most Popular

About

American author known for such satirical and political novels as Mumbo Jumbo, The Last Days of Louisiana Red, and Yellow Back Radio Broke-Down. He also published six poetry collections, ten essay collections, and several plays, travelogues, and librettos.

Before Fame

He attended the University of Buffalo. He published his first novel, The Free-Lance Pallbearers, in 1967.

Trivia

He was a jazz musician as well as a writer, and he played piano for The Ismael Reed Quintet.

Family Life

He was born in Tennessee, but he grew up in New York. He married Carla Blank.

Associated With

He was inspired by the literary career of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes.