Famous Haitian Writers

Apparently, Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat, known for books such as Breath, Eyes, Memory, had begun writing to escape the bullying she faced because of her Haitian ways after she moved to the U.S. as a young girl. Although her parents wanted her to study medicine, she took up French literature.

Haitian author and intellectual Jacques Roumain explored the black perspective through his works and also believed in the concept of art for people's sake. Best known for his poetry collection Ebony Wood and his novel Masters of the Dew, he was also a supporter of Marxist theory.

Known as Haiti’s Shakespeare, Oswald Durand was an iconic Haitian literary figure who is also considered Haiti’s national poet. Mostly a romantic poet, he had been a journalist and politician, too. He was also made the president of the Chamber of Deputies. Choucoune remains one of his best-known works.

Pompee Valentin Vastey was a Haitian politician, educator, and writer. He is best remembered for his essays on the history of Haiti. He is also remembered for his service as secretary under King Henri Christophe. Pompée Valentin Vastey also worked as a tutor to Jacques-Victor Henry, Henri Christophe's son.

Massillon Coicou was a Haitian novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. Most of his literary works were published in France, where he was serving as the Haitian Chargé d'Affaires Étrangères. A fierce critic of Pierre Nord Alexis, Massillon Coicou announced his intentions to overthrow the former's government and he was subsequently executed by Alexis' orders in 1908.

Jules Solime Milscent was a Haitian poet, fabulist, and politician. Some of his best known fables are L'Homme et le Serpent, Le Cœur et l'Esprit, and Le Chien et le Loup. He is also credited with co-founding a journal named L'Abeille Haytienne. Also a prominent politician, Jules Solime Milscent served in several government positions during his lifetime.

Solon Ménos was a Haitian politician and author. He is best remembered for his service as Haiti's Minister of Finance and Haiti's minister to Washington, D.C. in 1897. He also served as the Haitian Ambassador to the USA from 1911 to 1918. Solon Ménos is also credited with writing L'Affaire Lüders, which described the conflict between Germany and Haiti.

Haitian-Canadian poet and author Gary Klang had escaped from the reign of Haitian dictator Duvalier and moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne University. He then moved to Canada and taught for a while, before becoming a translator and then, finally, a writer. His works include Toute terre est prison.