Biography of Zora Neale Hurston

The quotation on her tombstone, “A Genius of the South” is an understatement

(Dickenson). Zora Neale Hurston is more than a genius. She is an inspiration to all kinds of

people, but primarily African Americans.

She was born on 7 January 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama, but soon after, she

moved to Eatonville, Florida. Many people think that this was her place of birth, but it is

not. Most of her ideas for her writings come from her struggles while living in Eatonville.

(Dickenson)

Hurston’s mother, Lucy Hurston, died in 1904, and she took a dislike to her

stepmother. As a result, she left home and joined a traveling theatre company. This was the

beginning of Hurston’s education and future writing career. (Dickenson)

After leaving home, Hurston ended up at Morgan Academy where she finished

high school. In 1920, she enrolled in Howard University. After about a year, Hurston’s

first piece of work was published. In 1...