March 28, 2024

On this day in history, Feb. 18, 1931, American author Toni Morrison is born in Ohio

image

American author and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison was born on this day in history, Feb. 18, 1931.

Morrison was born the second of four children in Lorain, Ohio, and was given the birth name Chloe Anthony Wofford, according to the National Women’s History Museum.

As a child, Morrison focused on her studies and became an avid reader.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, FEB. 17, 1801, JEFFERSON IS ELECTED PRESIDENT AS PARTY POLITICS DIVIDE NEW NATION

She was a member of her school’s debate team and yearbook staff and went on to become the head librarian at the Lorain Public Library.

Morrison converted to Catholicism at the age of 12 and was baptized under the name Anthony after Saint Anthony of Padua — taking the nickname Toni, the National Women’s History Museum reports.

Author Toni Morrison speaks at a Newsday book and author luncheon at the Huntington Town House in Huntington, New York, on Oct. 18, 1977.

Author Toni Morrison speaks at a Newsday book and author luncheon at the Huntington Town House in Huntington, New York, on Oct. 18, 1977. (J. Michael Dombroski/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

In 1949, Morrison moved to Washington, D.C., to attend Howard University, a historically Black college.

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, JAN. 20, 1930, BUZZ ALDRIN IS BORN, MOON WALKER TAUGHT MANKIND ‘SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT’

Morrison frequently toured the then-racially segregated south with the university’s theatrical group called the Howard University Players.

Morrison graduated with her bachelor’s degree in English and furthered her education at Cornell University where she earned her Master of Arts degree in English.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is photographed in New York City in 1979.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is photographed in New York City in 1979. (Jack Mitchell/Getty Images)

After graduating in 1955, Morrison went on to teach English at Texas Southern University, but then returned to teach at Howard University.

Upon returning to her alma mater, Morrison taught civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael and met her husband, Harold Morrison.

‘HARRY POTTER’ AUTHOR J.K. ROWLING SAYS PEOPLE ‘MISUNDERSTOOD’ HER COMMENTS ABOUT BIOLOGICAL SEX

Morrison taught at Howard for seven years before accepting a job as an editor for textbooks at Random House publishing in Syracuse, New York.

Two years later, Morrison moved to the company’s New York City branch and began editing fiction and books written by Black authors.

Novelist Toni Morrison discusses her venture into playwriting in Albany, New York, on Dec. 23, 1985.

Novelist Toni Morrison discusses her venture into playwriting in Albany, New York, on Dec. 23, 1985. (Getty Images)

Morrison published her first book, “The Bluest Eye,” at 39 years old in 1970.

This book was followed by her second novel, “Sula,” and her third, “Song of Solomon,” in 1977, which turned Morrison into a household name, according to the museum.

CLASSIC AUTHORS QUIZ! HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT THESE GREAT AUTHORS AND THEIR WORKS?

In 1987, Morrison released her novel, “Beloved,” based on the true story of an enslaved woman.

This book was a bestseller for 25 consecutive weeks — and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

Nobel laureate Toni Morrison ((front, in black dress) acceps the applause of partygoers Susan Taylor, Rita Dove, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Davis, Maya Angelou and others in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Nobel laureate Toni Morrison ((front, in black dress) acceps the applause of partygoers Susan Taylor, Rita Dove, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Davis, Maya Angelou and others in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Will And Deni McIntyre/Getty Images)

Morrison became the first Black woman to be presented with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993.

She was also honored with the National Book Foundation’s Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters three years later.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH QUIZ: TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS MONTH OF TRIBUTE

“Beloved” was adapted into a film in 1998, starring major players like Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Thandiwe Newton and Kimberly Elise.

While continuing her writing career, Morrison worked as a professor in the Creative Writing Program at Princeton University and wrote children’s books with her son.

U.S. author Toni Morrison smiles in her office at Princeton University in New Jersey, while being interviewed by reporters on Oct. 7, 1993.

U.S. author Toni Morrison smiles in her office at Princeton University in New Jersey, while being interviewed by reporters on Oct. 7, 1993. (DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images)

Morrison received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Oxford, according to the museum, and was consistently praised for her work.

In 2000, the Library of Congress named Morrison a Living Legend, the National Women’s History Museum reports.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

She also earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 — the same month she published her last book with her son.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Morrison died on August 5, 2019, in New York after complications with pneumonia.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital.

This post originally appeared on and written by:
Tami Kucera
Fox News 2023-02-18 05:02:00

Share
Source: