Chinua Achebe

Born November 16, 1930 (Nigeria); died March 21, 2013 (Boston, Massachusetts)

Chinua Achebe has been called the “father of modern African writing.” He excelled in school while growing up and received a scholarship to attend medical school. But after reading a popular book of the era, written by a European author, he ended up changed his major to study literature, history, and English. This book disparage Africans and the African way of life, and Chinua wanted to add to the literature and bring about the true light of Africa. The change in study, however, revoked his scholarship. But he was able to continue his studies because of family sacrifices financially. It was in college that he began his writing career. Chinua also became an Ambassador for the people in the Biafra region when they broke away from Nigeria. There was much war and violence at the time, and Chinua appealed to other countries to help. A few years later, Nigeria regained control of the area, and Chinua got involved politically. He resigned a short time later, however, because of government corruption and elitism. Chinua married and had two sons and two daughters. He said that “there are few things more important than my family.” Chinua was also an Igbo chieftan. As a writer, his stories a focused on African tradition, are historical in nature, and are also symbolic. He also wrote children’s stories, which he began when he was concerned about the world views in which his children would grow. He eventually settled in the United States, and began teaching at a University. He lived in the US until his death.

“My position is that serious and good art has always existed to help, to serve, humanity.”