About Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Devereaux Micheaux (US:; January 2, 1884 – March 25, 1951) was an American author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films. Although the short-lived Lincoln Motion Picture Company was the first movie company owned and controlled by black filmmakers, Micheaux is regarded as the first major African-American feature filmmaker, a prominent producer of race films, and has been described as "the most successful African-American filmmaker of the first half of the 20th century." He produced both silent films and sound films. His first business was a shoeshine stand, which he set up at a wealthy African-American barbershop, away from Chicago competition. The discontented Micheaux became rebellious and his struggles caused problems within his family. Micheaux became dissatisfied with what he viewed as his brother's way of living "the good life".
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.