Literature has played an important role in society throughout history, the written word being a powerful tool for communicating ideas. This became even more important during the 20th century, when many people sought to persuade others or share their emotions and stories. Black movements in the United States have made use of this tool, many authors have come out and become part of the fabric of society. Three authors in particular, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright became some of the most influential and important writers of the 20th century, using their own stories and life experiences to give life and meaning to their works. Ralph Ellison is one of the most influential writers of the early 20th century in North America. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 1, 1914. According to Liukkonen of Finland, Ellison was named after the great Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet. Ellison's father hoped that by having a great name, his son would also achieve greatness. After graduating from high school in a relatively non-racial environment, Ellison went on to study music at the Tuskagee Institute in Alabama in the mid-1930s. Dissatisfied with the music program (they thought jazz, Ellison's favorite form, was primitive) he went to New York City to study sculpture. It was there that he met Langston Hughes and Richard Wright, who convinced him to join the Federal Writer's Project, a project that encouraged the production of quality literature from all walks of life across the country. The influence of the other two important writers would push Ellison towards a life rich in literature. Of the three authors, Richard Wright is one of the most obscure, although still very important to the world of literature. Born... in the middle of paper... themselves, or simply escaped the monotony of everyday life. Works Cited Petri Liukkonen. Ralph (Waldo) Ellison (1914-1994). Author's calendar. Finland. 2008. Internet.http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rellison.htm. Accessed June 21, 2011.Carl Brucker. Ralph Ellison 1914-1994. Survey of American Literature. 1992. Internet http://faculty.atu.edu/cbrucker/Ellison.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.“Langston Hughes.” Academy of American Poets. 2011. Internet.http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83. Accessed June 21, 2011. Snally Gaster. "Biography of Richard Wright". University at Buffalo. Internet.http://www.math.buffalo.edu/~sww/wright/wright_bio.html. Accessed June 21, 2011.Caroline Sanchez. Richard Wright, 1908-1960. University of North Carolina. Internet.http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/lit/wright.htm. Accessed June 21st2011.