Etheridge Knight (1931 - 1991 / Mississippi)

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Etheridge Knight was an African-American poet who became a notable poet in 1968 with his debut volume, Poems from Prison.

Biography

Etheridge Knight was born on April 19, 1931 in Corinth, Mississippi. He was one of seven children in a poor family, and only completed a ninth-grade education. Spending many of his adolescent years working in pool halls, bars, and juke joints, he mastered the art of "telling toasts". Toasts are long narrative poems coming from an oral tradition which are performed from memory and with spirit. This environment honed his poetic experience, however, it also introduced him to drugs. He became addicted to drugs at an early age. ... more »

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