On April 16, 1994, acclaimed author Ralph Ellison passed away at the age of 80. Ellison is best known for his groundbreaking 1952 novel Invisible Man, which explored the psychological and social challenges faced by African Americans in a racially divided America. The novel won the National Book Award and remains a cornerstone of American literature. Ellison’s writing combined symbolism, jazz-influenced language, and sharp cultural critique, leaving a lasting impact on generations of writers and thinkers. Though he published only one completed novel during his lifetime, his voice reshaped how Black identity was portrayed in fiction.
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