Chinua Achebe Biography

Chinua Achebe (born 16 November 1930) is a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic. Widely acclaimed for his work in English Literature. Born to Christian evangelical parents he was raised in a town Ogidi,in Igboland, in Eastern Nigeria. He is best known for his first novel “Things Fall Apart”

Raised by his parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria, Achebe excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. He became fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures.He got his early education in English and the Igbo traditions and colonial legacy played a great part in the growing years of his life. Thereafter, he went to University of Ibadan for further studies where he studied literature and medicine. Then he opted for teaching for a short period, but later on joined the Nigerian Broadcasting company in Lagos as Director of External Broadcasting.

In 1975, his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" became the focus of controversy. He wrote No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God in 1960, and A Man of the People in 1966. Another achievement was his novel, Anthills of the Savannah. He has also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections.

He was also appointed the Editor of renowned Nigerian literary Magazine, Okike. One of his remarkable achievements includes Iwa ndi Ibo, a bilingual publication of Igbo cultural life. He was honored as Emeritus Professor at University of Nigeria. He also has twenty honorary doctorates to his name from universities all over the world.

Achebe writes his novels in English and has defended the use of English, a "language of colonisers", in African literature. Achebe is one writer who has always been involved in his country’s depicting the problems and difficulties faced by his countrymen in the post-colonial era.Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of Western and Traditional African values during and after the colonial era.

-Bibliography
*Famousauthors.org
Chinua Achebe | Biography, Books and Facts
Famousauthors.org (1958) Chinua Achebe | Biography, Books and Facts. [online] Available at: http://www.famousauthors.org/chinua-achebe [Accessed: 21 Jan 2013].

*Biografiasyvidas.com
Biografia de Chinua Achebe
Biografiasyvidas.com (1930) Biografia de Chinua Achebe. [online] Available at: http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/a/achebe.htm [Accessed: 21 Jan 2013].