August Wilson, born Frederick August Kittel Jr. on April 27, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was raised by his mother, Daisy Wilson, after his father, Frederick August Kittel, walked out on the family when Wilson was a young child. Growing up in the Hill District of Pittsburgh, Wilson was exposed to the rich cultural heritage of the African American community, which would later inspire much of his work as a playwright.
Wilson dropped out of high school at the age of 16 but continued to educate himself by reading extensively at the local library. He later attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he began to develop his passion for writing and theatre. In 1968, Wilson co-founded the Black Horizon Theater, a community theatre company that aimed to showcase the voices and experiences of African Americans.
Wilson's career as a playwright took off in the 1980s when he began writing a series of plays known as The Pittsburgh Cycle or Century Cycle. This series of ten plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, explored the African American experience in the United States. The first play in the series, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," premiered in 1984 and was followed by acclaimed works such as "Fences," "The Piano Lesson," and "Joe Turner's Come and Gone."
Throughout his life, August Wilson was married three times. His last marriage was to costume designer Constanza Romero in 1994, with whom he had two daughters. Wilson's personal experiences, including his marriages and relationships, often influenced the themes and characters in his plays.
August Wilson passed away on October 2, 2005, leaving behind a powerful and enduring body of work that explores the complexities of the African American experience. His legacy lives on through his plays, which continue to resonate with audiences and provoke important conversations about race, identity, and history in America.