zora_neale_hurston

Pioneering African-American anthropologist and author who documented Southern folklore

Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) was an anthropologist, author, and central figure in the Harlem Renaissance whose work preserved African-American cultural heritage. Her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God remains a cornerstone of American literature, blending folk speech with lyrical prose. Hurston's anthropological fieldwork in the American South and Caribbean produced seminal works like Mules and Men, which documented folklore traditions. She pioneered using dialect authentically in literature, challenging dominant racial stereotypes. Though overshadowed during her lifetime, her work experienced a revival through Alice Walker's 1975 essay 'In Search of Zora Neale Hurston.' The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts in Eatonville, Florida preserves her legacy. Modern scholars like Dr. Maryemma Graham (University of Kansas) study her intersectional contributions to anthropology and literature. Her influence can be seen in contemporary authors like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. The Library of Congress includes her papers in their permanent collection, recognizing her role in shaping American cultural history.