Maya angelou photo by deborah feingold corbis entertainment getty 533084708

Maya Angelou

  • Maya Angelou was born.

    Maya Angelou was born.
    Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, MO
  • Period: to

    About Maya Angelou

    Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several poetry books, and was credited with a list of plays, movies, and TV shows spanning over 50 years.
  • Most Famous Book

    Most Famous Book
    Maya Angelou was best known for her memoir, 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,' which made literary history as the first non-fiction best-seller by an African American woman.
  • Most Famous Poem

    Most Famous Poem
    Maya Angelou wrote many poems, but her most famous one was, 'Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water, Fore I Diiie.'
  • Awards and Honors

    Awards and Honors
    Angelou received several honors throughout her career, including two NAACP Image Awards in the outstanding literary work (nonfiction) category, in 2005 and 2009. One of the most memorable awards was her receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.