Micheaux, Oscar, 1884-1951

Oscar Micheaux (b. Jan. 2, 1884, Metropolis, IL–d. March 25, 1951, Charlotte, NC) was born to Calvin and Bell Michaux, both former slaves. He started working as a teenager in various jobs (in stockyard, steel mills, as a shoe shiner, and eventually a Pullman porter) before buying a homestead in Gregory County, SD. While on his homestead he married Orlean McCracken although the marriage did not last. Micheaux started writing for The Chicago Defender urging black people to take advantage of the land grab out West and authored 7 novels. He adapted his novel "The Homesteader" into a film in 1919 and became a successful and provocative producer. Michaux opened offices for his production studio in Chicago and Harlem.