Ralph Ellison: A Phenomenal Writer Ralph Ellison was an author whose life and personal experiences had inspired him to write; he won prizes, set standards, and influenced people of all ages with his work. Writing didn't come easily to Ellison because he experienced many struggles before he wrote his first book. Ellison received good and bad criticism throughout his career for his various works. Ralph Ellison’s life, early works and criticism all take part in what kind of author we know him to