Léon Damas was a French poet born on March 28, 1912, in French Guiana. He was a prominent figure in the Négritude movement, which celebrated Black culture and identity. Damas's poetry often explored themes of race, colonialism, and the African diaspora, using vivid imagery and emotional depth. Damas published several collections of poetry, including "Pigments" in 1937, which gained recognition for its powerful expression of Black consciousness. He spent much of his life in France, where he became involved in literary and political circles, contributing to discussions on race and identity until his death on May 22, 1978.