New York World-Telegram & Sun

Zora Neale Hurston

(1891 - 1960)

Born in Notasulga, Alabama, Zora Neale Hurston pursued a career in anthropological and folkloric field work after studying at Howard, Barnard, and Columbia, traveling across the South and Caribbean with funding from a Guggenheim fellowship and the Works Progress Administration. Hurston published three novels, including Their Eyes Were Watching God. After Alice Walker wrote “In Search of Zora Neale Hurston” for Ms. in 1975, the author, forgotten after her death in an unmarked grave, received renewed critical attention.

All Writing

Happiness is not something you can catch and lock up in a vault like wealth. Happiness is nothing but everyday living seen through a veil.

—Zora Neale Hurston, 1939

The great difficulty lies in trying to transpose last night’s moment to a day which has no knowledge of it.

—Zora Neale Hurston, 1942

Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. 

—Zora Neale Hurston, 1942

Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.

—Zora Neale Hurston, 1937

Issues Contributed