Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent African American author, anthropologist, and folklorist, best known for her novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God." Hurston was born on January 7, 1891, in Notasulga, Alabama, and grew up in Eatonville, Florida, one of the first all-Black towns to be incorporated in the United States.

Hurston became a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that took place in the 1920s and 1930s in Harlem, New York. Her work focused on the experiences of African Americans in the South, particularly rural Southern life and folk traditions.

In addition to her writing, Hurston also conducted anthropological research, studying African American folklore in the South and the Caribbean. She traveled extensively, collecting stories and studying cultural practices, which she incorporated into her writing.

Despite facing challenges and criticism during her lifetime, Zora Neale Hurston is now recognized as one of the most important figures in American literature and Black history. Her work continues to inspire and influence generations of writers and scholars.

Hurston's legacy is celebrated for her contributions to the African American literary canon and her commitment to preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Black communities.