Herman Dreer

Herman Dreer
Born(1889-09-12)September 12, 1889
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedAugust 7, 1981(1981-08-07) (aged 91)
Other namesHerman H. Dreer,
Herman S. Dreer
Alma materBowdoin College,
Virginia University of Lynchburg,
University of Chicago
Occupation(s)Academic administrator, educator, educational reformer, educational activist, author, editor, minister, civil rights leader
Known for20th-century African American History curriculum and programming for public school
SpouseMary Thomas (m. 1912–?)
Children2

Herman H. Dreer (1888–1981) was an American academic administrator, educator, educational reformer, activist, author, editor, Baptist minister, and civil rights leader. He is best known for writing curriculum and programming for teaching African American History at most grade levels for early 20th-century public schools.[1] Dreer is also credited with initiating Black History Month observance in the United States, alongside Carter G. Woodson.[2][3]

Dreer re-opened Douglass University, an important African American college and founded a bank for African Americans in St. Louis, Missouri.[4][5][6][7]

His former home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since February 2009.

  1. ^ Osby, Cheryl D.; Davis, Matthew D. (2020). "Herman H. Dreer, A Twentieth Century Black Radical Curriculum Activist". American Educational History Journal. 47 (1/2): 17, 29–45 – via Education Research Complete.
  2. ^ "Dreer, Herman H." Mound City on the Mississippi. Missouri State Historical Preservation Office, St. Louis Historic Preservation.
  3. ^ "Feb. 7, 1926: Carter G. Woodson Launched Negro History Week". Zinn Education Project. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  4. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Dreer, Dr. Herman S.. House" (PDF). mostateparks.com. 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  5. ^ Osby, Cheryl D.; Davis, Matthew D. (2020). "Herman H. Dreer: A Twentieth Century Black Radical Curriculum Activist". American Educational History Journal. 47 (1/2): 29–45 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ Todd, Cynthia (February 25, 1993). "Black History--As told by Herman Dreer (Who wrote for the St. Louis Argus) 1993 Pt1". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 53 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Early, Gerald Lyn (1998). Ain't But a Place: An Anthology of African American Writings about St. Louis. Missouri History Museum. pp. 307–314. ISBN 978-1-883982-28-7.