ROBERT HAYDEN (1913-1980) was one of the most important African-American poets of the twentieth century. He left behind an exquisite body of work, collected in this definitive edition, including American Journal, which was nominated for a National Book Award in its first publication. An introduction by Arnold Rampersad provides a biographical portrait of hayden and a critical context in which to understand his poetry. Robert Hayden was a fellow of the American Academy of Poets, a poetry consultant to the Library of Congress, and a Professor of English at the University of Michigan; he received numerous awards for his poetry in his lifetime.

ARNOLD RAMPERSAD is Woodrow Wilson Professor of Literature at Princeton University.

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