Léopold Sédar Senghor
(1906–2001)

Léopold Sédar Senghor, in both his poetic and political aims, asserted that African culture should be celebrated for its unique value. Born into a wealthy Senegalese family, Senghor grew up in the coastal village of Joal. In 1928, he moved to France and furthered his education by studying literature at the Sorbonne. As a participant in the Negritude Movement, Senghor introduced readers to traditional elements of African culture by writing in French. After briefly teaching in France, he enlisted in the French army at the onset of World War II. In 1940, Senghor was captured by the Germans and imprisoned for two years.

The end of this decade marked the publication of two of his early volumes of poetry, Chants d'ombre (1945; Shadow Songs) and Hosties noires (1948; Black Hosts). While on his way to becoming a renowned Senegalese poet, Senghor also moved toward fulfilling his political aspirations. Following the country's independence from France in 1960, Senghor served as president of Senegal for twenty years. Finally, in 1983 and in honor of his literary accomplishments, Senghor became the first black member elected to the prestigious Académie Fraçaise.

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  J  |  K  |  L  |  M
N  |  O  |  P  |  Q  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  U  |  V  |  W  |  X  |  Y  |  Z