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African American university founded in 1926 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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 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]
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