Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist and poet. He was born in Ogidi, Nigeria, in 1930. He wrote Things Fall Apart, which has sold over 20 million copies. He is often called the father of African literature in English.

Early Life

Achebe grew up in a village in southeastern Nigeria. He grew up hearing both traditional Igbo stories and English stories. He studied at the University of Ibadan. He was one of the first students to graduate from the university.

Big Achievements

Achebe published Things Fall Apart in 1958. The novel tells the story of an Igbo village dealing with the arrival of Europeans. It has been translated into over 60 languages. Achebe showed the world the richness of African culture and history through his writing.

Fun Facts

• Things Fall Apart has been translated into over 60 languages.
• Achebe wrote the novel partly to correct the negative picture of Africa in European books.
• He survived a car accident that left him paralyzed, but he kept writing.

Did You Know?

Achebe wrote Things Fall Apart partly as a response to European novels that showed Africa in a negative way. He wanted to show that African cultures had their own rich histories, values, and traditions.