Goliad in Goliad County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
John Mason Brewer
(March 24, 1896 - January 24, 1975)
After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in English from Wiley College in 1917, he taught at various high schools and colleges. Later, Brewer published his writings in The Negro American, an African American periodical. After receiving his Master's Degree in 1933, Brewer published several history and poetry books, including Negrito and The Negro in Texas History. Brewer also published an anthology of poetry, Heralding Dawn: An Anthology of Verse, focusing on Texans with African heritage.
Brewer's dedication to sharing black stories continued throughout his life. After a suggestion from his colleague, J. Frank Dobie, Brewer began working on collecting and publishing black folklore. Sometimes compared to Zora Neale Hurston, a prominent Harlem Renaissance writer and folklorist, Brewer published five collections of folklore in the 1950s and 1960s. His most significant work, American Negro Folklore won the Chicago Book Fair award in 1968 and the 21st annual Writers Roundup Award in 1969. Brewer became the first African American member of the Texas Folklore Society and the Texas Institute of Letters. He was also the first African American to hold office in the American Folklore Society. After the success of American Negro Folklore, Brewer returned to teach at Texas A&M University-Commerce until his death in 1975. As a poet, historian and folklorist, John Mason Brewer played an essential role in recording and preserving black culture in the United States.
Erected 2017 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 20155.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list.
Location. 28° 39.922′ N, 97° 23.564′ W. Marker is in Goliad, Texas, in Goliad County. Marker is at the intersection of South Commercial Street and South Courthouse Square, on the right when traveling south on South Commercial Street. Touch for map. Marker
is at or near this postal address: 320 South Commercial Street, Goliad TX 77963, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bull Durham Tobacco Wall Advertisement (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad Tornado of 1902 (within shouting distance of this marker); Goliad Global War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Goliad County Courthouse (about 300 feet away); Neyland Building (about 300 feet away); The Hanging Tree (about 400 feet away); Santa Anna's Surrender Ratified (about 400 feet away); Don Rafael Antonio Manchola (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goliad.
Also see . . . Brewer, John Mason - The Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) (Submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2019, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas.