Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She is best known for her poem 'And Still I Rise, ' which has become a cultural touchstone for many people. Angelou was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Stamps, Arkansas. She wrote several books of poetry, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which made her the first African-American woman to have a nonfiction bestseller. Angelou was also a prolific speaker and lecturer, and she received numerous awards and honors throughout her career.