James Baldwin
Born 1924 · Age 101
American novelist, essayist, playwright, and civil-rights activist whose work addressed race, sexuality, religion, and class. Prominent from the 1950s–1980s; lived as an expatriate in France and was an influential public intellectual in the U.S. civil-rights era.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against James Baldwin and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Harlem, New York
James Arthur Jones (later Baldwin) born at Harlem Hospital to Emma Berdis Jones; born out of wedlock. Later took stepfather's surname Baldwin.
Mother Emma Jones marries David Baldwin
Emma Jones married David Baldwin, a Baptist preacher; James took his stepfather's last name.
Enrolled at Public School 24 (P.S. 24)
At about five years old Baldwin was enrolled at P.S. 24 on 128th Street in Harlem where teachers recognized his brilliance.
Published first school essay in the Douglass Pilot
As editor of the Douglass Junior High newspaper Baldwin published 'Harlem—Then and Now' in the autumn issue of the Douglass Pilot.
Joined Pentecostal church and began preaching
Began preaching at Fireside Pentecostal Assembly and served as a youth minister (known as 'Brother Baldwin'), developing his oratorical style.
Graduated Frederick Douglass Junior High; entered DeWitt Clinton High
Completed junior high (1938) and matriculated at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx in the fall of 1938.
Completed high school diploma (DeWitt Clinton)
Finished studies at DeWitt Clinton High School; yearbook lists career ambition as 'novelist-playwright'. (Sources cite 1941–1942; primary Wikipedia gives 1941.)
Left school for work — built Army depot in New Jersey
Left formal schooling to earn money and took a job helping build a U.S. Army depot in New Jersey to support his family.
Track-laying job in Belle Mead, New Jersey
With Emile Capouya's help, Baldwin worked laying tracks for the military in Belle Mead; experienced racial prejudice that affected his later decision to leave the U.S.
Moved to Greenwich Village
After instability and odd jobs in Harlem, Baldwin moved to Greenwich Village where he lived with friends and Beauford Delaney and pursued writing.
Harlem riot and funeral around his 19th birthday
David Baldwin's funeral coincided with James Baldwin's 19th birthday (Aug 2, 1943) and occurred around the Harlem riot of 1943, a formative historical moment for Baldwin.
Stepfather David Baldwin died; last child Paula born
David Baldwin died of tuberculosis on July 29, 1943, the same day Emma gave birth to Paula; Baldwin visited the day before and later wrote about this in 'Notes of a Native Son'.
Joined Young People's Socialist League and briefly a Trotskyist
Through personal connections became involved with the Young People's Socialist League and briefly adopted Trotskyist politics while in New York.
Met Marlon Brando at The New School
Met and formed a lifelong friendship with actor Marlon Brando during a theatre class at The New School in New York.
Founded literary magazine 'The Generation'
Co-founded The Generation with Claire Burch while active in the Village literary scene.
Met Richard Wright
Met established novelist Richard Wright late in 1945 and attempted to interest him in an early manuscript (then titled 'Crying Holy').
First published review in The Nation
Published a review of Maxim Gorki in The Nation (his first published work in that magazine).
Awarded Rosenwald Fellowship ($1,500)
Received a $1,500 Rosenwald Fellowship to produce a book of photographs and essays about Harlem (project never finished); funds helped finance move to France.
Formed important friendship with painter Beauford Delaney
Beauford Delaney became a long-time friend and mentor who helped Baldwin out of depressive periods and supported his artistic life.
Began long-term relationship with Lucien Happersberger
Met Swiss painter Lucien (Lucien Happersberger) in Paris; relationship and friendship lasted decades and influenced Baldwin's life and work.
Published short story 'Previous Condition'
Published his first work of fiction 'Previous Condition' in the October 1948 issue of Commentary.
Moved to Paris, France
With about $40 to his name (gave most fellowship money to his mother), Baldwin flew to Paris to escape American racism and to pursue writing.
Published essay 'Everybody's Protest Novel'
Published a scathing critique of Richard Wright and protest novels, gaining prominence as an incisive literary critic.
Arrested in Paris for receiving stolen goods; charges dismissed
Arrested and jailed after an American friend brought stolen bedsheets; later released and recounted incident in essay 'Equal in Paris'.
Published essay 'Equal in Paris'
Essay describing Paris arrest and noting his new status as 'American' rather than 'despised black man'; published in Commentary (1950).
Published essay 'Many Thousands Gone'
Continued critical engagement with Richard Wright and protest literature with this 1951 essay.
Sent manuscript of Go Tell It on the Mountain to Knopf
Sent the novel manuscript from Paris to Alfred A. Knopf on Feb 26, 1952 to begin the publication process.
Sailed to the U.S. to settle publication terms
Returned to New York in April 1952 (voyage on SS Île de France) to negotiate with Knopf and visit family after years abroad.
Served as best man at brother David Jr.'s wedding
Strengthened family ties during visit to New York before returning to Europe.
Returned to Europe
Returned to Europe on Aug 28, 1952 after finishing work with Knopf on revisions and the advance.
Critically acclaimed — 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' recognized as major novel
Go Tell It on the Mountain later ranked among top English-language novels by Time; the book established Baldwin's literary stature in the 1950s.
Published 'The Negro in Paris' and other essays
During Paris years Baldwin published essays analyzing race and identity from expatriate perspective, e.g., 'The Negro in Paris'.
Published debut novel 'Go Tell It on the Mountain'
First novel (semi-autobiographical bildungsroman) published by Alfred A. Knopf; established Baldwin as a major literary voice.
Play 'The Amen Corner' produced
Wrote The Amen Corner (published/performed mid-1950s); production activity around Howard University and later Broadway (Broadway debut was in mid-1960s).
Received Guggenheim Fellowship; MacDowell fellowship
Awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship (1954) and accepted at the MacDowell writer's colony to support a new novel.
Published essay collection 'Notes of a Native Son'
Collection (1955) established Baldwin's reputation as a moral and intellectual voice on race, family, and identity.
The Amen Corner staged at Howard University (approx.)
His play 'The Amen Corner' was staged at Howard University in the mid-1950s (production and published date sources vary between 1954–1955).
Published 'Giovanni's Room'
Second major novel (explicit handling of homosexuality) accepted by Dial Press and published in 1956; controversial for homoerotic content.
Suicide attempt (overdose) in summer
Suffered a major depressive episode and overdosed on sleeping pills in summer 1956; survived and later reconciled with friends.
Returned to the United States
Decided to return to the U.S. in 1957 after nine years in Paris, to become more engaged with American life and civil-rights issues.
Received Ford Foundation fellowship
Awarded a Ford Foundation fellowship (date commonly cited as 1958) supporting his writing and work.
Published essay collection 'Nobody Knows My Name'
Collection (1961) exploring American race relations and literary topics; reported to have sold over one million copies.
Published novel 'Another Country'
Widely discussed novel (1962) dealing with race, sexuality, and interracial relationships, furthering Baldwin's reputation.
Met with U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy
Part of a group of artists and civil-rights figures who met RFK in 1963 attempting dialogue between government and movement (meeting ended in disappointment).
Published 'The Fire Next Time'; Time cover
Published the widely influential essay/letter collection 'The Fire Next Time' (1963). Appeared on the cover of Time magazine the same year.
Awarded George Polk Award for journalism
Received the George Polk Award (1963) recognizing excellence in journalism for his influential writing on race and society.
Participated in the March on Washington
Attended the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (did not speak there).
Play 'Blues for Mister Charlie' premiered
Wrote the protest play 'Blues for Mister Charlie' (loosely based on Emmett Till case); staged and reached Broadway with mixed reviews.
Published 'Going to Meet the Man'; marched at Selma
Published short-story collection 'Going to Meet the Man' (1965) and participated in the Selma to Montgomery march (March 1965).
Debated William F. Buckley, Jr. at Cambridge
Debated Buckley on 'The American Dream: Is it at the expense of the American Negro?', earning a prolonged standing ovation.
Published novel 'Tell Me How Long the Train’s Been Gone'
Novel dealing with sexuality, family, and Black experience published in 1968.
Worked on (then resigned) Malcolm X screenplay
Agreed to write a screenplay adaptation of Alex Haley's The Autobiography of Malcolm X after Malcolm's assassination but resigned after MLK's assassination; later published screenplay workings (1972).
Taught at major U.S. universities (various years)
Served as visiting lecturer/professor at institutions including UC Berkeley, UMass Amherst, Mount Holyoke, and Hampshire College across the 1970s–80s.
Published 'No Name in the Street' and Malcolm X screenplay workings (book)
Published essays in 'No Name in the Street' (1972); also published his version/notes of the Malcolm X screenplay.
Published novel 'If Beale Street Could Talk'
Published novel that would later be adapted into an acclaimed 2018 film by Barry Jenkins.
Lived as transatlantic commuter (from 1969 onward)
From 1969 onward Baldwin split his time between the south of France, New York, and New England; by mid-1970s he was a 'transatlantic commuter.'
Published novel 'Just Above My Head'
Major novel (1979) exploring Black life, music, family and sexuality.
Published poetry collection 'Jimmy's Blues: Selected Poems'
Released a collection of poems in 1983, expanding his published oeuvre beyond novels and essays.
Published 'The Evidence of Things Not Seen' and 'The Price of the Ticket' anthology
Published a book on the Atlanta child murders ('The Evidence of Things Not Seen') and the anthology 'The Price of the Ticket' (collection of autobiographical writings).
Awarded France's Legion of Honour
Accepted into France's prestigious Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur) in 1986.
Died in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France
Died of stomach cancer at his home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence on December 1, 1987.
Documentary 'The Price of the Ticket' released (posthumous)
Documentary film on Baldwin's life and work was released in 1989 reflecting on his legacy.
Documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro' adapted from Baldwin's unfinished manuscript
Raoul Peck expanded Baldwin's unfinished 'Remember This House' into the documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro' (2016), winning the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary and earning an Academy Award nomination.
Film adaptation of 'If Beale Street Could Talk' released
Barry Jenkins adapted Baldwin's 1974 novel into a 2018 film which received widespread critical praise and multiple awards nominations.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what James Baldwin and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Berry Gordy
Born 1929 · Age 96
American record executive, songwriter, producer; founder of Motown Record Corporation; influential in developing the 'Motown sound' and launching numerous major artists.
Audrey Hepburn
Born 1929 · Age 96
Belgian-born British actress and humanitarian, film and fashion icon; Academy, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner; UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Barbara Walters
Born 1929 · Age 96
Pioneering American broadcast journalist and television personality; first woman co-host of Today and first female co-anchor of a U.S. network evening news program. Longtime host/correspondent for Today, ABC Evening News, 20/20 and creator/co-host of The View.
Jack Bogle
Born 1929 · Age 96
American investor, founder and long-time CEO of The Vanguard Group, creator/popularizer of the retail index mutual fund, and author and philanthropist who championed low-cost, long-term investing.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Born 1929 · Age 96
American Baptist minister, political philosopher, and leader of the U.S. civil rights movement (active 1955–1968) who advanced civil rights through nonviolent resistance.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Born 1929 · Age 96
American socialite, writer and book editor; First Lady of the United States (1961–1963); known for White House restoration, cultural diplomacy, fashion, and later career as a New York book editor.