| Type | Private African American university |
|---|---|
| Active | 1926–after 1943 |
| Founder | B. F. Bowles |
| President |
B. F. Bowles (1926–1928), Herman Dreer (1934–?) |
| Location | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
Douglass University was a university established for African Americans in 1926 in located in St. Louis, Missouri. [1] It was the second university in the state of Missouri to admit African American students; and it was the second U.S. law school that admitted African Americans for a full law degree. [2] The university moved locations many times within the same city; as well as remained active off-and-on for decades after its founding.
History
Douglass University was named after Frederick Douglass, and was founded by Benjamin F. Bowles for African American students in the fall of 1926. [3] It was temporarily located at 4346 Enright Avenue but moved months later to 2803 Pine Street, St, Louis. [4] Attorney Freeman L. Martin served as the first vice chairman and dean of the law school. [4] [5] The first classes were held in January 1927, and focused exclusively on law, serving only 8 students. [4]
At the time of the university’s founding, no other college in St. Louis County admitted black students. [3] The first university in the state of Missouri allowing black students to attend was Lincoln University (founded in 1866), which was followed by Douglass University. [2] It was also only one of two schools in the United States offering full law degrees to black students. [4] None of the 24 faculty received wages when the university opened. [4] The faculty of the school was mostly made up of teachers from the local public school system. [3] In 1928, the second year of operation, the university added departments in theology, business, and music and had increased enrollment to 37 students. [4] [3] The college was later moved to 4300 West Belle Place, St. Louis. [6]
Bowles had led the school until his health declined in the late 1920s. [6] In 1934, Herman Dreer re-opened Douglass University in a temporary location at 1042 Grand Blvd. and moved a year later to 3626 Finely, St. Louis. [3] [7] By 1937, the university had 54 enrolled students. [7] It was the Great Depression and the school struggled with their financial situation. [3] By June 1942, the school had closed. [3] In 1943, Dreer re-opened Douglass University again. [6] [3]
See also
References
- ^ Wright, John Aaron (September 5, 2002). Discovering African American St. Louis: A Guide to Historic Sites. Missouri History Museum. ISBN 9781883982454 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Douglass University Opening". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1926-12-13. p. 18. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Early, Gerald Lyn (1998). Ain't But a Place: An Anthology of African American Writings about St. Louis. Missouri History Museum. pp. 307–314. ISBN 978-1-883982-28-7.
- ^ a b c d e f "St. Louis Negros Are Working Without Pay to Found Douglass University". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1928-02-12. p. 74. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
- ^ "Negroes Plan College Here; Douglass University to Open Classes in Temporary Quarters Feb. 1". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 1926-10-23. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
- ^ a b c Wright, John Aaron (2002). Discovering African American St. Louis: A Guide to Historic Sites. Missouri History Museum. pp. 51–52. ISBN 9781883982454.
- ^ a b "Douglass University Now Has 54 Students". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 1937-10-29. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-09-18.