News
News

Anniversary of Zora Neale Hurston's birth celebrated on social media

Zora Neale Hurston was a folklorist, anthropologist, and author. Her classic 1937 novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," is required reading. This rare photo was taken by  student Alex Rivera in 1939 on the campus of what is now North Carolina Central University. Hurston taught at the school for a year.

Credit: Alex Rivera / AJC Archive

Credit: Alex Rivera / AJC Archive

Zora Neale Hurston was a folklorist, anthropologist, and author. Her classic 1937 novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," is required reading. This rare photo was taken by  student Alex Rivera in 1939 on the campus of what is now North Carolina Central University. Hurston taught at the school for a year.
By Erica Hernandez
Jan 7, 2016

On the 125th anniversary of acclaimed author Zora Neale Hurston's birthday, social media users take to Twitter to share their favorite photos and quotes from Hurston's writing.  Some celebs joined the conversation too.

A leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, Hurston was born on this day 125 years ago, Jan. 7, 1891 in Notasulga, Alabama. She died in Fort Pierce, Florida in 1960.

Her classic 1937 novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God," is required reading and the way most of her fans are first introduced to her writing.

Scroll below to see some rare photos of Hurston and read some of her more memorable quotes.

About the Author

Erica Hernandez
More Stories

Keep Reading

At least four courthouse employees reported symptoms after a package turned up at the Fulton County Courthouse on Friday.

Credit: Hyosub Shin / AJC

‘White substance’ in package sent to Fulton courthouse deemed not hazardous

The Latest

At least four courthouse employees reported symptoms after a package turned up at the Fulton County Courthouse on Friday.

Credit: Hyosub Shin / AJC

‘White substance’ in package sent to Fulton courthouse deemed not hazardous

Rapper Yella Beezy charged with capital murder in shooting death of rapper Mo3

San Diego family of murdered DEA agent ‘Kiki’ Camarena sues cartel under new terrorist designation

Featured

Orange Crush event organizer Steven Smalls looks out at Tybee Island's South Beach, site of the 2025 HBCU spring break festival scheduled for April 19 on Georgia's coast. (Justin Taylor/The Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Credit: Justin Taylor for The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Make Orange Crush sweet again? New era dawns for infamous HBCU beach party

Orange Crush, an HBCU spring break party at a Georgia beach, enters a new era this April with a sanctioned festival organizers hope will attract 30,000 attendees

Gridlock Guy: Lessons learned from becoming a true Atlanta commuter

After years of covering conditions during drive time, I am a part of the gridlock daily. Here are a few lessons that my joining the masses in Atlanta traffic has given me.

Is Atlanta still America’s Black mecca? This native isn’t so sure

A new monthly content series from UATL — the AJC’s Black culture franchise — will shed light on the reality (or mirage) behind this question.