Maya Angelou

Dr Angelou knew Martin Luther King and Malcolm X

Born in poverty in the American deep South, Dr Maya Angelou has become the leading lady of black literature in the states

The first instalment of her life story made her a household name 25 years ago, when it was published under the title I Know why the Caged Bird Sings.

The book sold millions around the world - and in 1988, she was asked to read from her work at President Clinton's inauguration

Dr Maya Angelou joined Breakfast live this morning, to talk about her sixth and final book about her life - A Song Flung up to Heaven

The book concentrates mainly on the mid-1960s, when Dr Angelou knew many of America's leading civil rights campaingers. Among her friends were Martin Luther King and Malcolm X - both later assassinated.

It also tells the story of her decision to send her wayward son to Ghana, to learn about his roots as an African American.

Despite the troubles she has seen, she remains a tower of optimism and enthusiasm:

"I have no choice but to be optimistic," she told us.

"I don't whine: it's very dangerous and very ugly.

"It lets a brute know that there's a victim in the neighbourhood."