African American Poetry (1870-1927): A Digital Anthology

Arna Bontemps: Bio and a Collection of Poems

Arna Bontemps (1902-1973) was one of the preeminent figures associated with the Harlem Renaissance. He was born in Louisiana into a Creole family. His family moved to Los Angeles in 1905; Bontemps was educated there, and graduated from Pacific Union College in 1923. Bontemps moved to New York City, wherre he began teaching at what was then called Harlem Academy. He began publishing poems in magazines like The Crisis, and Opportunity. In 1926 and 1927, he won the Alexander Pushkin Prize (sponsored by Opportunity), in 1926, he won the poetry prize for The Crisis. 

In the 1930s, Bontemps lived in Alabama and California, and published several novels as well as writing for children. More here.