His poetry was widely acclaimed, and he was the first African to be asked to join the Académie française in 1983. He wrote the lyrics of the national anthem of Senegal: Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons.

With Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon and Léon Damas, Senghor created the concept of Négritude, an important philosophical movement that sought to distance African culture from European influences.

Senghor's tenure as president was characterized by the development of African socialism, which was created as an indigenous alternative to Marxism. On December 31, 1980, he retired in favor of his prime minister, Abdou Diouf.

The airport of Dakar, Dakar-Yoff-Leopold Sedal Senghor International Airport, is named after him.