North Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

William Herbert Brewster, Sr.

1897-1987

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

1. William Herbert Brewster, Sr. Marker

Inscription. Born on July 2. 1897, in Somerville, Tenn., to sharecropper parents, the Rev. William H. Brewster was a prolific composer of gospel music, contributing over 200 works to the repertory. Two of his compositions, Move On Up a Little Higher (1946) and Surely, God is Able (1949) were the first black gospel recordings to sell over a million copies. An editor, educator, and poet, he founded the Brewster Theological Clinic, with branches in 25 U.S. cities. Known as the "father of gospel drama," be was honored for his music by the Smithsonian Institution in 1982. A year later, French television produced a program about his work. For many years, Dr. Brewster's home stood in this vicinity.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 154.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Churches & Religion • Education • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1897.

Location. 35° 9.628′ N, 90° 1.675′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in North Memphis. Marker is at the intersection of Looney Avenue

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and Ayers Street, on the right when traveling east on Looney Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 903 Looney Ave, Memphis TN 38107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Memphis 13/Gordon Elementary School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Humes High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Porter-Leath Children's Center (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Studios / Elvis Presley at American Studios (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Brick Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Isaac Hayes (approx. ¾ mile away); Winchester Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); Manassas High School / The Cora P. Taylor Auditorium (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . . Rev. Herbert Brewster. Biography by Memphis Music Hall of Fame, where he was posthumously inducted in 2013. (Submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 18, 2020

2. William Herbert Brewster, Sr. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 20, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.