How James Baldwin Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
A closer look at the lasting mark left by James Baldwin—a timeline of influence.
James Baldwin was a prominent African-American writer and civil rights activist known for his insightful essays, novels, and plays. His works, such as *Go Tell It on the Mountain* and *Notes of a Native Son*, explored themes of race, sexuality, and identity in America. Baldwin's powerful voice and eloquent prose made him a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for human equality and challenging societal norms through his writing and public speaking.
July 1956: "The Crusade of Indignation" Published
In July 1956, Baldwin's project, "The Crusade of Indignation" was published. In it, Baldwin critiques "Uncle Tom's Cabin", suggesting that it has negatively influenced the perception of Black Americans by white society for a century.
1963: Publication of The Fire Next Time and Rise to Prominence
In 1963, Baldwin's essay "Down at the Cross," later known as "The Fire Next Time," was published. The essay landed Baldwin on the cover of Time magazine and established him as a prominent spokesperson for civil rights.
1964: Baldwin Discusses Civil Rights Revolution
In a 1964 interview with Robert Penn Warren, James Baldwin discussed the civil rights movement, calling it "a very peculiar revolution" aimed at radical shifts in American mores and the way of life.
1967: Baldwin Fictionalized in Novel
In 1967, James Baldwin was fictionalized as the character Marion Dawes in John A. Williams' novel "The Man Who Cried I Am."
1969: Angelou credits Baldwin
In 1969, Maya Angelou credited James Baldwin for "setting the stage" for her autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
1979: Baldwin Speaks at UC Berkeley
In 1979, James Baldwin spoke at UC Berkeley and referred to the civil rights movement as "the latest slave rebellion".
1985: Baldwin Describes Beauford Delaney
In 1985, James Baldwin described the painter Beauford Delaney as a significant influence in "The Price of the Ticket."
December 1, 1987: Death of James Baldwin
On December 1, 1987, James Baldwin, the influential African-American writer and civil rights activist, passed away, marking the end of a life dedicated to literature and advocating for human rights.
1987: National James Baldwin Literary Society Founded
In 1987, Kevin Brown founded the National James Baldwin Literary Society to celebrate Baldwin's life and legacy.
1990: Lawsuit Against Baldwin's Estate Dropped
In 1990, McGraw-Hill dropped its lawsuit against Baldwin's estate to recover the $200,000 advance for his unfinished book, "Remember This House."
1992: James Baldwin Scholars Program Established
In 1992, Hampshire College established the James Baldwin Scholars program, an urban outreach initiative, in honor of Baldwin.
1996: Baldwin Referenced in Film
In 1996, Spike Lee's film "Get on the Bus" included a reference to James Baldwin through a character's dialogue.
1998: Toni Morrison edits Baldwin's work
In 1998, Toni Morrison edited the Library of America's first two volumes of James Baldwin's fiction and essays: "Early Novels & Stories" and "Collected Essays."
1999: Baldwin's Name in Le Tigre Song
In 1999, James Baldwin's name appeared in the lyrics of the Le Tigre song "Hot Topic".
2002: Baldwin on List of Greatest African Americans
In 2002, James Baldwin was included on Molefi Kete Asante's list of 100 Greatest African Americans.
2005: Baldwin Honored with Postage Stamp
In 2005, the United States Postal Service created a first-class postage stamp dedicated to James Baldwin.
2012: Baldwin Inducted into Legacy Walk
In 2012, James Baldwin was inducted into the Legacy Walk, celebrating LGBT history and people.
February 2013: Darryl Pinckney Speaks on Baldwin
In February 2013, Darryl Pinckney celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of The New York Review of Books with a talk on Baldwin, highlighting his literary style and influence.
2014: Street Named After Baldwin
In 2014, East 128th Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues was named "James Baldwin Place" in Harlem to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Baldwin's birth.
2014: Baldwin Honored in Rainbow Honor Walk
In 2014, James Baldwin was one of the inaugural honorees in the Rainbow Honor Walk in San Francisco's Castro neighborhood.
2015: Later Novels Volume Edited
In 2015, Darryl Pinckney edited the third volume of James Baldwin's works for The Library of America titled, "Later Novels."
February 2016: Le Monde Opinion Piece
In February 2016, Le Monde published an opinion piece by Thomas Chatterton Williams, spurring a group of activists to come together in Paris to try to save Baldwin's house.
June 2016: Shannon Cain Squats at Baldwin's House
In June 2016, American writer and activist Shannon Cain squatted at Baldwin's house for 10 days as an act of political and artistic protest.
2016: "I Am Not Your Negro" Released
In 2016, Raoul Peck released his documentary film "I Am Not Your Negro," based on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript "Remember This House."
2016: Release of I Am Not Your Negro
In 2016, Raoul Peck's documentary film "I Am Not Your Negro" was released, based on Baldwin's unfinished manuscript, "Remember This House," a memoir of civil rights leaders.
2016: Release of 'I Am Not Your Negro' Documentary
In 2016, the documentary film 'I Am Not Your Negro', expanded and adapted from James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript 'Remember This House', was released and later won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary.
2017: Baldwin's Pop Culture Moment
In 2017, Scott Timberg noted James Baldwin's resurgence in pop culture, emphasizing the continued relevance of his work 30 years after his death.
2018: Publication of Me and My House: James Baldwin's Last Decade in France
In 2018, Magdalena J. Zaborowska's book, "Me and My House: James Baldwin's Last Decade in France", was published, using photographs of his home and collections to discuss themes of politics, race, queerness, and domesticity.
2018: 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Film Adaptation
In 2018, the film adaptation of James Baldwin's 1974 novel 'If Beale Street Could Talk' was released, earning widespread praise.
June 2019: Baldwin Inducted on National LGBTQ Wall of Honor
In June 2019, James Baldwin was one of the inaugural inductees on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument.
June 2019: Baldwin's Residence Given Landmark Designation
In June 2019, James Baldwin's residence on the Upper West Side was given landmark designation by New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission.
June 19, 2019: Paris to Honor James Baldwin
On June 19, 2019, the city of Paris confirmed its plan to honor James Baldwin with a dedicated place in the capital.
2019: Construction Completed on Apartment Complex
In 2019, construction was completed on the apartment complex that now stands where Chez Baldwin once stood, after attempts to conserve the property were dismissed.
2020: Project Confirmed for Baldwin Honor
In 2020, the project to honor James Baldwin with a place in Paris was officially confirmed.
2021: Baldwin's Name for Paris Media Library
In 2021, Paris City Hall announced that James Baldwin's name would be given to the first media library in the 19th arrondissement, scheduled to open in 2024.
February 1, 2024: Baldwin Character in Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
In 2024, James Baldwin appeared as a character in the television series "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans", played by Chris Chalk.
February 1, 2024: Google Celebrates James Baldwin with Doodle
On February 1, 2024, Google celebrated James Baldwin with a Google Doodle.
May 17, 2024: Blue Plaque Honors Baldwin
On May 17, 2024, a blue plaque was unveiled by Nubian Jak Community Trust/Black History Walks to honour Baldwin at the site where he visited the C. L. R. James Library in the London Borough of Hackney.
August 2, 2024: "JIMMY! God's Black Revolutionary Mouth" Opens
On August 2, 2024, The New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture opened an exhibition, "JIMMY! God's Black Revolutionary Mouth" in honor of James Baldwin's centennial.
2024: Paris Media Library to Open
In 2024, the media library named after James Baldwin is scheduled to open in the 19th arrondissement of Paris.
February 28, 2025: "JIMMY! God's Black Revolutionary Mouth" Closes
On February 28, 2025, The New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture closes the exhibition, "JIMMY! God's Black Revolutionary Mouth", which honored the centennial of Baldwin's birth.
