Counteé Cullen Biography

Counteé Cullen, an African-American, was born March 30, 1903. He’s location of birth is not a known fact but has said to be in Louisville, Kentucky, Baltimore, Maryland and New York City, New York. Cullen was raised by his grandmother, Elizabeth Porter, until she passed away in 1908. After her death, Cullen was adopted by Reverend Frederick Cullen and his wife. Cullen went to high school at Dewitt Clinton High where he edited the school paper. He didn’t discover his love of poetry until he saw that his English teacher had published a poem he had written for class in a magazine. Cullen began writing poetry that was recognizable during his high school years. He was seen to be an outstanding student; He graduated from New York University in 1925. Cullen’s first published book of poems was in 1925 named Colors. In 1926, Cullen graduated Harvard University with a Masters of Arts degree. After touring France, Cullen married Yolanda Du Bois, daughter of W.E.B Du Bois. They divorced two years later due to conflicting desires. Cullen began teaching English and French in 1934 at Frederick Douglas Junior High School. In 1940, he married Ida Mae Roberson, an old friend. Cullen dies in 1946 from gastrointestinal disorder. Cullen became one of the first poets to be published during that Harlem Renaissance. Cullen’s favorite poems came from the writer John Keats. Cullen’s many themes in his poems are often racism and disappointment. He had a close connection to writer Langston Hughes.