Claude McKayClaude McKay was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century African-American literature. He was known all over the world, from the West Indies to the United States to Africa to his hometown, Jamaica. When we talk about controversial writers, we think of Claude McKay. He was the first of many African American writers who would become known for expressing their opinions through literature in the early 1900s. He also used his gift of creativity with words to express his feelings on various issues such as politics , human rights and racism. (African American Writers, 305)Claude McKay, whose real name was Festus Claudius McKay, was born on September 15 in the year 1890. He was born on his family farm in Sunny Ville, located in the mountain center of the upper parish of Clarendon in Jamaica. Of the eleven children conceived by Thomas Francis McKay (father) and Hannah Ann Elizabeth Edwards (mother), Claude was the youngest. Thomas and Hannah managed to homeschool all of their children, including Claude until the age of seven, when he was sent to live with his older brother U'Theo. "U'Theo became a well-known planter, businessman and civic leader throughout Jamaica." (African American Writers, 307) U'Theo was just beginning his career as a schoolteacher when a young Claude began his stay with him. Claude received education from his older brother until the age of fourteen. This benefited Claude since his brother was a graduate of Mico Teachers College in Kingston. Claude began reading a lot and at the age of ten he began writing poetry. He then entered a trade school in 1906 but was forced to return home when the school he had attended was destroyed by an earthquake. (www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/m_r/mckay/life.htm) Shortly after returning from trade school, Claude served on the island police force where he heard many complaints from black island farmers about their livelihood in and around Kingston..