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Basic Information
| Full Name | Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe (Chinua Achebe) |
|---|---|
| Pen Name(s) | None |
| Date of Birth | 16 November 1930 |
| Place of Birth | Ogidi, Colonial Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian (Igbo) |
| Languages | English (wrote in), Igbo (personal/publ.) |
| Genres | Novel, Poetry, Short Story, Essay, Children’s Lit |
| Active Years | 1950–2013 |
| Literary Movement | Modernism, Postcolonial African Literature |
| Education | University College Ibadan (English, History & Theology; graduated 1953) |
Writer Stats
| Books Published | 20+ (including novels, essays, poetry, children’s) |
|---|---|
| Novels Written | 5+ |
| Translations | Things Fall Apart translated into 50+ languages; most‑translated African writer |
| Most Popular Work | Things Fall Apart (1958); iconic African novel |
| Major Prizes | Man Booker International Prize, 2007 for lifetime achievement |
| Estimated Citations | 300+ academic references and critical studies (e.g. Morning Yet on Creation Day, essays) |
Bibliography Highlights
- 1958 – Things Fall Apart (Novel)
- 1960 – No Longer at Ease (Novel)
- 1964 – Arrow of God (Novel)
- 1966 – A Man of the People (Novel)
- 1971 – Beware Soul Brother (Poetry)
- 1975 – Morning Yet on Creation Day (Essays)
- 1987 – Anthills of the Savannah (Novel)
- 2009 – The Education of a British‑Protected Child (Essays & Memoir)
- 2012 – There Was a Country (Memoir on Biafra war)
International Reach
| Language | Reach & Status |
|---|---|
| English | Original works globally sold and studied |
| Multiple | Translated Things Fall Apart into 50+ languages; academic use internationally |
| Anthologies | Aphorisms, essays included, essay collections widely anthologized |
Awards & Recognition
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Man Booker International Prize (lifetime achievement) | 2007 |
| Dorothy & Lillian Gish Prize | 2010 |
| Honorary degrees from 30+ universities globally | Multiple |
| UNESCO & literary festivals in his honor | Annual Chinua Achebe Literary Festival; UNESCO recognition |
Themes & Literary Influence
| Core Themes | Culture & Colonialism, Identity, Female Agency, Tradition vs Modernity |
|---|---|
| Influences | Igbo oral traditions, Western literary forms, Christian-Igbo heritage |
| Influenced | Entire generation of African writers; founding African Writers Series |
| Cultural Significance | Known as the ‘father of modern African literature’ (though he rejected this label) |
Notable Quotes
“The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.”
Things Fall Apart
Further Reading
Editor’s Note
Chinua Achebe revolutionised African storytelling by positioning indigenous voices at the center of global literature. His blend of straightforward narrative, proverbs, and Igbo storytelling structures reshaped how African stories are told. Though widely called the “father of modern African literature,” he viewed himself simply as an African writer telling African truths in English. His memoir There Was a Country and essays remain as vital to understanding postcolonial identity as his fiction.
Status: Deceased
Last Updated: 07 August 2025
Reference
Adédèjì, Ridwan. (2025). Chinua Achebe. Literature PADI. https://www.literaturepadi.com.ng/2025/08/07/chinua-achebe/ (Accessed on August 9, 2025 at 07:15)
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