You know who Nina is, don’t you?

Nina Simone writes to Langston Hughes

Nina Simone to Langston Hughes, 6 July 1965. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

When she wrote this effusive letter in July of 1965, Nina Simone was 32. The year had started badly with the death of her dear friend and mentor, Lorraine Hansberry. Then, in March, Simone had sung to thousands at the Selma to Montgomery Civil Rights March. June saw t…