William G. Brown was one of few black state education superintendents nationwide during Reconstruction, and the first in Louisiana. The study examines the significance of William G. Brown and his administration in relation to the educational development of Louisiana and relevant social and political issues of the day.
The manuscript initially addresses the pre-Civil War educational development of Louisiana and early, available information on Brown. The profound social, political, and economic changes precipitated by the Civil War and Reconstruction also had educational corollaries. Mixed (integrated) schooling, one of the most controversial measures in post-Civil War Louisiana transcended education to become one of the defining issues of Reconstruction.
During his tenure, Superintendent Brown’s integrity, leadership, and skill in navigating such matters earned him the respect of many. In an effort to gain greater insight into Brown’s personality, this study follows the course of Brown’s career immediately before and after the superintendency. Important factors such as Brown’s philosophy of education and administrative style are also considered in assessing the overall effectiveness of Brown’s educational leadership.
