Ishmael Reed

Ishmael Reed
Reed in 2019
BornIshmael Scott Reed
(1938-02-22) February 22, 1938
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
Occupation
  • Poet
  • essayist
  • novelist
  • playwright
  • lyricist
EducationUniversity at Buffalo
Notable worksFull list
SpousePriscilla Thompson
(m. 1960; divorced)
(m. 1970)
Children2
Website
ishmaelreed.com

Ishmael Scott Reed (born February 22, 1938) is an American poet, novelist, essayist, songwriter, composer, playwright, editor and publisher known for his satirical works challenging American political culture. Perhaps his best-known work is Mumbo Jumbo (1972), a sprawling and unorthodox novel set in 1920s New York. Reed's work represents neglected African and African-American perspectives.