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Ishmael Reed

American poet, novelist, essayist, songwriter, playwright, editor and publisher · United States · On the map · Writers · Born 1938 · age 88

Ishmael Scott Reed is an American poet, novelist, essayist, songwriter, composer, playwright, editor and publisher known for his satirical works challenging American political culture. Perhaps his best-known work is Mumbo Jumbo (1972), a sprawling and unorthodox novel set in 1920s New York.

Ishmael Reed is read about 105 times a day, in 18 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 7 July 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.

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A life in dates

2022Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and SciencesAward2000American Book AwardsAward1998MacArthur Fellows ProgramAward1975Guggenheim FellowshipAward1938Born22 February 1938

People around Ishmael

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Awards

Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences2022
American Book Awards2000
MacArthur Fellows Program1998
Guggenheim Fellowship1975

About this person

Reed's work represents neglected African and African-American perspectives.

Country
United States
Category
Writers
Type
Writer / Author
Status
Living
Dates
Born 1938 · age 88

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