Urban Core in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

J. Rosamond Johnson

Composer, Pianist, Lyricist, Singer, Educator, and Actor

— Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park —

J. Rosamond Johnson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026

1. J. Rosamond Johnson Marker

Inscription. John Rosamond Johnson, who preferred to be recognized as J. Rosamond Johnson, was an internationally famous music composer, educator, and actor. He was born on August 11, 1873, on this site. His early life was strongly influenced by his mother, Helen Louise Johnson, an educator and a musician, and his father, James Johnson, a preacher. He attended the Stanton Institute in LaVilla and then college at the New England Conservatory, graduating in 1893. He returned to Jacksonville after college to offer private music lessons, serve as choirmaster and organist for Bethel Institutional Baptist Church in Hansontown, and teach music at the Florida Baptist Academy in the Eastside neighborhood.

Johnson's most famous song is "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing." He wrote the music and his brother James Weldon Johnson wrote the lyrics in 1900. The brothers moved to New York City after Jacksonville's Great Fire of 1901.

They had great songwriting success in a twelve-year partnership with Bob Cole. In New York, Johnson wrote music for and performed as an actor on Broadway at a time when it was rare for African Americans to do so.

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J. Rosamond Johnson
Composer, Pianist, Lyricist, Singer, Educator, and Actor

"The Negro Spiritual, plantation songs, and their idiomatic outgrowth form distinctive elements of American folklore, folksongs, and folk-music."
— J. Rosamond Johnson
(captions)
J. Rosamond Johnson, portrait taken in Boston | Yale University Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

J. Rosamond Johnson at the piano | Yale University Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

J. Rosamond Johnson married Nora E. Floyd and together they had a daughter named Mildred Johnson in Jacksonville | Yale University Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

J. Rosamond Johnson performing. | Yale University Beineke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Marker Legend
Yellow: Black National Anthem
Red: The Johnson Family
Light Blue: J. Rosamond Johnson
Dark Blue: James Weldon Johnson
Pink: Shotgun Homes

Erected 2026 by City of Jacksonville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is August 11, 1873.

Location. 30° 19.795′ N,

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026

2. J. Rosamond Johnson Marker

81° 40.212′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Urban Core. It is at the intersection of North Lee Street and Houston Street, on the left when traveling north on North Lee Street. The marker is located within Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 N Lee Street, Jacksonville FL 32204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James Weldon Johnson (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named James Weldon Johnson (a few steps from this marker); John Rosamond Johnson (a few steps from this marker);

3. J. Rosamond Johnson Marker

Shotgun Homes (a few steps from this marker); The Black National Anthem: "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hatch (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Line of Intrenchments (about 700 feet away); Old Brewster Hospital (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville.

Also see . . .
1. Commemorating J. Rosemond Johnson, Composer of Black National Anthem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”. (Submitted on September 29, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
2. Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. (Submitted on September 29, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)

James Weldon Johnson image. Click for full size.

Public Domain

4. James Weldon Johnson

Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 29, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.