The Soyinka Family, 1938. S.A. (Essay) and Eniola (the Wild Christian) with Wole, Tinu and Femi.

“I began writing early – very, very early… I was already writing short stories for the radio and selling poems to poetry and art festivals; I was involved in school plays; I wrote essays, so there was no definite moment when I said, ‘Now I’m a writer.’ I’ve always been a writer.”

Wole Soyinka and his sister Tinu in 1940.


Wole Soyinka, age nine (middle, front row) plays the lead role in the operetta The Magician


Soyinka children in 1945. In the front row, Tinu, Kayode and Yeside. In the back row, Wole nd Femi

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Wole Soyinka, age 18, a college freshman


Wole Soyinka with his daughter Moremi in 1963