Chinua Achebe Biography: Books, Wikipedia, Death, Age, Wife, Children

Chinua Achebe (Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe) remains one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Best known for his groundbreaking novel Things Fall Apart (1958), Achebe reshaped how the world understood African literature and colonial history — writing stories that gave Africa its own voice in world letters.

His career spans fiction, essays, criticism, and public intellectual work that challenged stereotypes and defended the dignity of African cultures.

Profile Data

• Full Name: Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe
• Born: November 16, 1930
• Died: March 21, 2013
• Age: 82 (at the time of death)
• Birthplace: Ogidi, Anambra State, Nigeria
• State of Origin: Anambra State
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Occupation: Novelist, Poet, Professor, Critic
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Isaiah Okafo Achebe (father), Janet Anaenechi Iloegbunam (mother)
• Spouse: Christie Chinwe Okoli (m. 1961–2013)
• Children: 4 (Chinelo, Ikechukwu, Chidi, and Nwando Achebe)
• Net Worth: Estimated around $5 million (at the time of his death)

Early life and background

Born on November 16, 1930 in Ogidi, in what was then colonial Nigeria, Achebe was the fifth of six children in a family shaped by both traditional Igbo culture and Christian missionary education. His given name, Chinụalụmọgụ, means “God fights on my behalf,” reflecting both family piety and cultural depth. The interplay between indigenous beliefs and European influence in his upbringing would later become a central theme in his fiction.

Education and formative influences

Achebe attended Government College, Umuahia, and later University College, Ibadan, where he initially studied medicine before switching to English, history, and theology. At Ibadan he grew increasingly critical of Western depictions of Africa — especially works like Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness — and decided to write literature that told African stories from African perspectives. These choices marked the beginning of a literary project to reframe African dignity through language and narrative.

Breakthrough — Things Fall Apart (1958)

Achebe’s first novel, Things Fall Apart, published in 1958, is now a global classic. The book tells the tragic story of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo warrior, and traces how colonialism and Christian missionaries disrupted the social fabric of an Igbo community. Achebe purposely used English in a way that preserved Igbo rhythms and proverbs — demonstrating that the colonizer’s language could be adapted to tell indigenous stories with authenticity and nuance. The novel is widely taught around the world and translated into many languages.

Major works and themes

Achebe wrote novels, short stories, essays, and poetry. Notable novels include:

• No Longer at Ease (1960)
• Arrow of God (1964)
• A Man of the People (1966)
• Anthills of the Savannah (1987)

His themes recur: the collision of traditional and modern life, the consequences of colonialism, the responsibilities of the postcolonial elite, and the moral complexities of power and betrayal. Achebe’s style blends oral storytelling devices, proverbs, and a clear moral seriousness.

Professional life and activism

Achebe worked in broadcasting and publishing in Nigeria and later held academic posts abroad. He was an editor, public intellectual, and critic who fiercely debated literary and political issues. During the Biafran War (1967–1970) he served in cultural and informational roles to help the Igbo people, and afterwards returned to writing and teaching. In the late 20th century he was an outspoken critic of Nigerian military rule and corruption.

Accident, later years, and honors

In 1990 Achebe suffered a serious car accident that left him paralysed from the waist down; he continued to write and teach while using a wheelchair. He received numerous awards and honors, including the Man Booker International Prize (2007), the Nigerian National Order of Merit, and multiple honorary degrees from universities worldwide. He also declined some political honors later in life on principle.

Death and legacy

Chinua Achebe died on March 21, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts. His legacy endures through the writers he inspired and through the continued global readership of his books. Achebe’s insistence on African agency in storytelling remains central to postcolonial literary studies.

FAQs

When was Chinua Achebe born?

He was born on November 16, 1930, in Ogidi, Nigeria.

What is Chinua Achebe’s most famous book?

Things Fall Apart (1958). Source: Britannica

What themes did Achebe explore?

Colonialism’s effects, clash of tradition and modernity, leadership, and postcolonial identity.

Did Achebe receive major awards?

Yes — notably the Man Booker International Prize in 2007 and numerous honorary degrees.

How did Achebe influence African literature?

He established African narrative authority in world literature and inspired later generations of writers.

Conclusion

Chinua Achebe transformed modern literature by restoring African dignity and complexity to the global literary imagination.

From his Igbo childhood to his role as novelist, critic, and public intellectual, Achebe’s life was a sustained commitment to telling the truth through story. His work continues to educate and inspire readers and writers worldwide.