June Carter Cash
Famous Fiction Authors
Donna Summer
Angelina Jolie
My Ghost Story
I Survived
Babe Ruth
Johnny Cash
Georgia O'Keefe
I Survived
1 photo
Quick Facts
Best Known For
Ralph Ellison was a 20th century African-American writer and scholar best known for his renowned, award-winning novel Invisible Man.
Videos see all videos
Ralph Ellison - "Invisible Man" Memorial
After his death, author and longtime Harlem resident Ralph Ellison was honored with the "Invisible Man" Memorial near his home at 150th Street and Riverside Drive.
Lenox Lounge – Historic Harlem Jazz Club
Built in 1939, the Lenox Lounge was a hub of Harlem’s cultural life, attracting famous regulars like Billie Holiday and Langston Hughes. In December 2012, the Lenox Lounge closed its doors with plans to open at a new address.
Quiz
Think you know about Biography?
Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.
Play NowRalph Waldo Ellison. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 08:31, May 18, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702.
Ralph Waldo Ellison. [Internet]. 2013. The Biography Channel website. Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702 [Accessed 18 May 2013].
"Ralph Waldo Ellison." 2013. The Biography Channel website. May 18 2013, 08:31 http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702.
"Ralph Waldo Ellison," The Biography Channel website, 2013, http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702 [accessed May 18, 2013].
"Ralph Waldo Ellison," The Biography Channel website, http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702 (accessed May 18, 2013).
Ralph Waldo Ellison [Internet]. The Biography Channel website; 2013 [cited 2013 May 18] Available from: http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702.
Ralph Waldo Ellison, http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702 (last visited May 18, 2013).
Ralph Waldo Ellison. The Biography Channel website. 2013. Available at: http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-ellison-9286702. Accessed May 18, 2013.
Literary Legacy
Ellison died from pancreatic cancer in New York City on April 16, 1994. The novel that had been working on prior to his death was released posthumously in 1999 and titled Juneteenth, with final shaping done by his literary executor, John Callahan, at the behest of McConnell. Three Days Before the Shooting, released in 2010,
offered a more comprehensive look at how the novel was shaped along with a look at Ellison's full manuscript.
Ellison's literary legacy continues to be highly pronounced. A massive collection of his essays was released in the fall of 1995 and Flying Home, a collection of short stories, was released in the fall of 1996. Years later, scholar Arnold Rampersad wrote a well-received, critical biography on Ellison that was published in 2007.
Invisible Man continues to be held up as one of the most highly regarded works in the American literary canon.
© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.
profile name: Ralph Ellison profile occupation:
Your Connections
Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.
Profile Connections
Included In These Groups
-
Famous Harlem Residents
View groupAfter the Civil War, many of the country's best and brightest black advocates, artists, entrepreneurs and intellectuals moved to the New York City neighborhood of Harlem. Thanks largely to the efforts of these residents, Harlem became both the cradle of a cultural revolution and the heart of the civil rights movement. Meet some of the many people who gave—and continue to give—this neighborhood a voice, simply by calling it home.
Famous Harlem Residents 62 people in this group
-
Famous Black Writers
View groupThey are the famous African-American writers who have fearlessly examined cultural stigmas, provided intimate life details, presented new ideas and created remarkable fiction through literary works. For their prophetic genius, these men and women have received Pulitzer Prizes, NAACP awards and even Nobel Prizes, among other honors. Our list of prominent African-American authors includes Toni Morrison, who has detailed the lives of black characters who struggle with identity amidst racism and hostility; Langston Hughes, a founder of the Harlem Renaissance; and Maya Angelou, who has eloquently chronicled various eras of her life through her autobiographies.
Famous Black Writers 38 people in this group
-
Famous Military Veterans
View groupAmerica wouldn't be what it is today without Hollywood, and it certainly wouldn't be the same without its armed forces. Military veterans make the ultimate contribution to society—they put their lives on the line for their country. Since the nation's founding, the dedication and bravery of soldiers has been the a key pillar on which the United States stands. From Revolutionary War heroes to Vietnam veterans, here's a look at famous military veterans.
Famous Military Veterans 211 people in this group
