Brownwood in Brown County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Robert E. Howard

(January 24, 1906 - June 11, 1936)

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

1. Robert E. Howard Marker

Inscription. Born in Parker County, Robert Ervin Howard grew up in the Brown and Callahan County communities of Cross Cut, Cross Plains, and Brownwood. He attended Brownwood High School and Howard Payne College, and published his first works of fiction in school newspapers. He later wrote poetry and short stories for popular magazines. His main interest was in science fiction and fantasy. In 1932 he created the character Conan the Barbarian. Howard committed suicide at age 30. His Conan character has become known worldwide through books, magazines, and movies.

Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4294.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.

Location. 31° 42.104′ N, 98° 59.896′ W. Marker is in Brownwood, Texas, in Brown County. It is on U.S. 377. The marker is located in the southern section of the Greenleaf Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2615 US-377, Brownwood TX 76801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it

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is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Charlie Webb and John Wesley Hardin (approx. ¼ mile away); Henry Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); Greenleaf Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); "Hey Paula" (approx. 1.3 miles away); Howard Payne University (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Rev. Dr. John David Robnett (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Rev. Noah Turner Byars (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dr. Mollie W. Armstrong (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownwood.

Also see . . . Robert E. Howard. Wikipedia

Howard was born and raised in Texas. He spent most of his life in the town of Cross Plains, with some time spent in nearby Brownwood. A bookish and intellectual child, he was also a fan of boxing and spent some time in his late teens bodybuilding, eventually taking up amateur boxing.
Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

2. The Robert E. Howard Gravestone and Marker
From the age of nine he dreamed of becoming a writer of adventure fiction but did not have real success until he was 23. Thereafter, until his death by suicide at age 30, Howard's writings were published in a wide selection of magazines, journals, and newspapers, and he became proficient in several subgenres. His greatest success occurred after his death.

(Submitted on June 8, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Robert E. Howard Marker in the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

3. The view of the Robert E. Howard Marker in the cemetery

Robert E. Howard image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - Photographer Unknown - Wikipedia, circa 1934

4. Robert E. Howard

This is a very well-known photograph of Robert E. Howard taken in 1934. According to his then-girlfriend Novalyne Price, he hated wearing a suit, tie, and hat, yet he went to a studio and had several photographs taken because she liked it when he dressed up. It's ironic that a photo he may have admired least has become the Definitive Image of the author. This image is in the public domain, and may be found on countless Robert E. Howard websites, fan pages or book sleeves.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 219 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.