August Wilson

His father was a baker-- a German immigrant-- and his mother was an African American cleaning woman.

Wilson was the only African American student, and felt unchallenged and isolated.

After his teacher accused him of stealing a 20 pg paper on Napoleon, Wilson left school. He hid his decision from his mother, fearing her disappointment.

Wilson committed for three years.

Wilson left the army, and returned to Pittsburgh to do odd jobs.

Instead of his father's surname, Wilson began using his mother's maiden name- -the one he would go on to write under.

Their first play was called "Recycling."

Wilson converted to Islam in order to sustain his marriage to her.

At the urging of a director friend, Claud Purdy, who tipped him off to a job writing educational scripts for a science museum.