Angelou, Maya (1928–2014)
Dr. Angelou was an acclaimed American poet, novelist, memoirist, dramatist, actress, and civil rights activist. One of her best known works is I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969). She spoke at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration, worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, and has received numerous awards and recognitions. She was professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.