# Zora Neale Hurston

> African American folklorist, novelist, short story writer, and Civic Rights advocate (1891–1960)

**Wikidata**: [Q220480](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220480)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zora_Neale_Hurston)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zora-neale-hurston

## Summary
Zora Neale Hurston was an African American folklorist, novelist, short story writer, and Civic Rights advocate who lived from 1891 to 1960. She is best known for her 1937 novel *Their Eyes Were Watching God* and her significant contributions to anthropology as a student of Franz Boas. Her work spans literature, folklore, and academic research, establishing her as a key figure in American cultural history.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 7, 1891
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**: Howard University; Barnard College; Columbia University
- **Known for**: Authoring the 1937 novel *Their Eyes Were Watching God* and work as an anthropologist and folklorist
- **Employer(s)**: Howard University; Columbia University; Barnard College
- **Field(s)**: Folklore; Literature; Anthropology; Journalism; Drama; Civic Rights Advocacy

## Contributions
Zora Neale Hurston's primary contributions lie in the fields of literature and anthropology. Her most notable literary work is the novel *Their Eyes Were Watching God*, published in 1937, which remains a significant text in American literature. As an anthropologist and folklorist, she contributed to the academic understanding of African American culture, influenced by the methodologies of Franz Boas. She also worked as a dramatist and journalist, expanding the reach of her cultural observations through various media. Her advocacy for civic rights further underscores her role in social and cultural advancement.

## FAQs
**What is Zora Neale Hurston’s most famous book?**
Zora Neale Hurston is best known for her 1937 novel *Their Eyes Were Watching God*, which is considered a landmark work in American literature.

**Where did Zora Neale Hurston go to school?**
She attended Howard University, Barnard College, and Columbia University, where she was affiliated with prominent academic institutions.

**Who was Zora Neale Hurston’s mentor?**
She studied under the German-American anthropologist Franz Boas, who is known as the "Father of American Anthropology" and mentored Hurston in anthropological methods.

**What awards did Zora Neale Hurston receive?**
She received a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, and was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, the Florida Women's Hall of Fame, and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.

**What were Zora Neale Hurston’s professions?**
Hurston was a multifaceted professional who worked as a folklorist, novelist, short story writer, Civic Rights advocate, anthropologist, dramatist, and journalist.

## Why They Matter
Zora Neale Hurston matters because she bridged the gap between academic anthropology and creative literature, bringing the richness of African American folklore to a wide audience. Her work under Franz Boas helped apply rigorous scientific standards to the study of culture, challenging the racial theories of her time. As a novelist, she provided a profound narrative voice for the African American experience, particularly through *Their Eyes Were Watching God*. Her legacy is cemented by numerous inductions into halls of fame and posthumous recognitions, including a crater on Venus named in her honor, highlighting her enduring impact on both science and the arts.

## Notable For
- Authoring the 1937 novel *Their Eyes Were Watching God*
- Receiving a Guggenheim Fellowship for her work in the arts
- Induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame
- Induction into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame
- Induction into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame
- Recipient of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
- Being a student of pioneering anthropologist Franz Boas
- Having a crater on Venus named "Hurston" in her honor
- Working as a Civic Rights advocate alongside her literary and anthropological pursuits

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Zora Neale Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, and passed away on January 28, 1960. She pursued higher education at several prestigious institutions, including Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C. She later attended Barnard College, a private women's liberal arts college, and Columbia University, a private university in New York City. This educational background placed her in contact with leading intellectuals of the era.

### Academic and Anthropological Work
Hurston was deeply involved in the field of anthropology, specifically as a folklorist. She was educated at Columbia University under the tutelage of Franz Boas, a seminal figure in American anthropology known for establishing cultural relativism and scientific methodology. Through this mentorship, she became part of a generation of anthropologists who challenged racial determinism and emphasized empirical research. Her work in folklore focused on the study and preservation of African American cultural traditions. She was also connected to other prominent anthropologists such as Ruth Benedict, further situating her within the core of the discipline's development in the United States.

### Literary Career
In addition to her scientific work, Hurston had a prolific career as a writer. Her occupations included novelist, short story writer, playwright, and journalist. Her most acclaimed literary contribution is the novel *Their Eyes Were Watching God*, published in 1937. This work is central to her reputation and is frequently cited as her most significant achievement. Her writing often intersected with her anthropological interests, utilizing narrative to explore cultural identities.

### Civic Rights and Advocacy
Hurston was also a Civic Rights advocate. While she is primarily celebrated for her artistic and academic output, her advocacy work was a defining aspect of her public life. She utilized her platform as a writer and intellectual to engage with the social issues of her time, advocating for the rights and recognition of African Americans.

### Recognition and Legacy
Throughout her career and posthumously, Hurston received significant recognition for her contributions to the arts and sciences. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, a grant awarded annually to those who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or creative ability in the arts. She was honored by the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, a US literary award. Her legacy is preserved through her inductions into the National Women's Hall of Fame, the Florida Women's Hall of Fame, and the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. In a unique tribute to her enduring impact, a crater on the planet Venus was named "Hurston" in her honor. Her influence is also noted in her connections to other literary giants, such as Fannie Hurst, and her continued relevance in discussions about American literature and anthropology.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Encyclopedia of African American Women Writers
3. Integrated Authority File
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5. Guggenheim Fellows database
6. Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960). BlackPast.org. 2007
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11. [Source](https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/400/Trail-Marker-4)
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13. [Source](http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_harlem.html)
14. Zora Neale Hurston. Guggenheim Fellows database
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17. [Source](http://www.awhf.org/inductee.html)
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24. [Source](https://archives.yale.edu/repositories/11/resources/990)
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27. [Source](https://findingaids.loc.gov/db/search/xq/searchMfer01.xq?_q=hurston,%20zora&_type=all&_nd=ead&_rp=all&_z=go&_raw_mfer_q=hurston,+zora)
28. [Source](https://sfonline.barnard.edu/documents-on-zora-neale-hurston-from-the-barnard-college-archives/)
29. National Register of Historic Places
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40. [Source](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL1890347W/Their_eyes_were_watching_God)
41. [Source](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-476-03702-2_167)
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45. [Amazon.com: Zora Neale Hurston: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle](https://www.amazon.com/Zora-Neale-Hurston/e/B000AQ05M2?ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_sims_vu00_r0_c1)
46. The Movie Database
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48. [Source](https://genius.com/api/artists/38379)
49. [Source](https://www.hoopladigital.com/artist/7039981?tab=BIO)
50. [Source](https://www.overdrive.com/creators/584092/zora-neale-hurston)