Few names in American theater have the same resonant power and genuineness as that of August Wilson. Wilson, who is widely lauded for his massive ten-play series "The Pittsburgh Cycle," serves as a beacon by shining a light on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans over the course of a century.

Origins and Childhood

Wilson's mother was African American and his father was a German immigrant; he was born on April 27, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He took his stepfather's surname, Wilson, after his own father left the family and his mother remarried. His plays reflect the profound impact that childhood struggles and racial prejudice had on his worldview.

Wilson left school when he was fifteen, but he was still able to get a good education at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which he considered his "Alma Mater." His interest in writing was ignited by his early exposure to literature and the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s, and his early works took the form of poetry.

Pittsburgh Through the Years: "The Pittsburgh Cycle"

Wilson's acclaimed ten-play series, "The Pittsburgh Cycle," (also known as "The Century Cycle"), spans the entirety of the twentieth century and uses dramatic storytelling and very human characters to examine the African American experience. Most of the plays take place in the Hill District, Wilson's old neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

The Success Pinnacle and "Fences"

In his 1985 drama "Fences," Wilson told the story of Troy Maxson, a former baseball player who, in 1950s America, must deal with racial discrimination and personal disappointment. Wilson's first Pulitzer Prize for Drama came from this play, and it went on to solidify his reputation as one of the most important American playwrights of the twentieth century.

Persevering Praise and "The Piano Lesson"

Wilson won the Pulitzer Prize for the second time in 1990 for "The Piano Lesson," a novel that delves deeply into issues of family history, historical recollection, and the experience of African Americans in the 1930s.

Cultural Influence and Posterity

Wilson offered the voiceless African American community a platform to share their stories of victory and resilience through his vast collection of work. His depictions of black life, full of nuance and complexity, went beyond simple caricatures.

Wilson passed away on October 2, 2005 from liver cancer, yet his legacy lives on in modern theater. His plays continue to be performed as reminders of the potential of theater to shed light on the human experience and the complicated racial history of the United States.