Claude McKay was a Jamaican-American writer and poet who is best known for his contributions to the Harlem Renaissance, a period of African-American cultural and intellectual expression that took place in New York City during the early 20th century.
McKay was born in Jamaica in 1889 and immigrated to the United States in 1912. He soon became involved in the Harlem Renaissance and quickly became one of its most prominent figures. His poetry is known for its powerful and moving depictions of the experiences of African Americans in the United States.
McKay's most famous works include the poems "If We Must Die," "The Lynching," and "Tropics in New York." He also wrote several novels and short stories.
McKay died in Chicago in 1948. He is considered one of the most important figures in African-American literature and his work continues to be widely read and studied today.