John Frederick Matheus was an American author born in 1887 and died in 1983. He was a significant figure in the Harlem Renaissance, contributing poetry, short stories, and plays. His literary work frequently drew on African American folklore, spirituals, and the experiences of Black Americans in the early twentieth century. Matheus's poetry reflected these themes, often employing dialect and rhythmic patterns from Black oral traditions, and addressing resilience, community, and social injustice. He is perhaps best known for his short story "Fog," which won first prize in a 1925 Opportunity literary contest, and for his play "Cruiter." Matheus also had a long career as an educator, teaching at West Virginia State College. His writings contributed to the broader cultural movement that sought to assert Black artistic identity during the 1920s and 1930s. Though his poetry is less widely anthologized than his fiction, it remains a part of the Harlem Renaissance literary corpus.
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