Murray in Calloway County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Cleanth Brooks (1906-94)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 20, 2021

1. Cleanth Brooks (1906-94) Marker (Side A)

Inscription. Murray native Cleanth Brooks became a major figure in the teaching and study of literature. With fellow Kentuckian Robert Penn Warren, he co-founded the Southern Review and directed attention to close reading of literature -- the "New Criticism" -- through the influential texts Understanding Poetry and Understanding Fiction.

An acclaimed critic, Brooks wrote Modern Poetry and the Tradition, The Well Wrought Urn, and studies of William Faulkner's novels. A Rhodes Scholar 1929-32, educated at Vanderbilt and Tulane, he also received many honorary degrees. He taught at Louisiana State 1932-47 and at Yale 1947-75.
Presented by citizens of Murray
and professional colleagues.

Erected 1996 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1977.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list.

Location. 36° 36.761′ N, 88° 19.456′ W. Marker is in Murray, Kentucky, in Calloway County.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

It is on North 16th Street 0.1 miles north of Miller Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of Wells Hall on the Murray State University campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 North 16th Street, Murray KY 42071, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Desegregation of Murray State College (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Murray State University (about 800 feet away); First Courthouse (approx. one mile away); Ryan Farm Barn (approx. 1.1 miles away); Will Linn House (approx. 1.1 miles away); Waters Schoolhouse (approx. 1.1 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. 1.2 miles

Cleanth Brooks (1906-94) Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 20, 2021

2. Cleanth Brooks (1906-94) Marker (Side B)

away); Calloway County War Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murray.

Also see . . . Cleanth Brooks (Wikipedia). (Submitted on March 23, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.