Maya Angelou (/ ˈændʒəloʊ / ⓘ AN-jə-loh; [1][2] born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, – ) was an American memoirist, essayist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards.