Maya Angelou was born in Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri in April 4th 1928 and died in May 28th 2014. She grew up in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. She grew up during the time of racial discrimination. She was an American poet, a civil rights activist, memoirist, playwright, dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, and singer. She published autobiographies, essays, and several poems. Maya Angelou earned tons of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. The first of her seven autobiographies were I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was written in 1969. This autobiography tells her life up to the age 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim. Also, it was nominated for the National Book Award.
