Author Summary on Maya Angelou

Marguerite Johnson, also known as Maya Angelou, was born in St. Louis, Missouri

to Bailey and Vivian Baxter, on April 4, 1928. She grew up in St. Louis and Stamps,

Arkansas. She is a critically acclaimed author, poet, historian, songwriter, playwright,

dancer, stage and screen producer, director, performer, singer and civil rights activist.

At the age of three years old, Marguerite’s parents divorced and sent her and her

brother Bailey to live with their grandparents in Stamps, Arkansas. In 1936 she was

traumatized by a sexual assault at the age of eight years old. From this traumatic Mar-

-guerite immersed herself into silence, refraining from speaking to anyone except her

brother Bailey.

In 1939, she finally broke her silence and moved to San Francisco with her mother

and Bailey. In 1945, her son Guy was born. Marguerite raised him as a single parent.

Then in 1952 she married Tosh Angelos. ...