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Paul A. Brent, the first African-American student to enroll at the Peabody Conservatory, graduated with a Teacher’s Certificate in Piano in the class of 1953. In this photo, he is second from the right on the back row.

On October 18, 1949, Peabody’s Board of Trustees discussed the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory after each member had cast their vote by letter over the preceding months. Despite William L. Marbury’s expectation that the Board would be…

In this letter, Douglas H. Gordon, a member of the Peabody Institute Board of Trustees, responds to William L. Marbury with his opinion on the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory. Gordon was the only trustee who did not agree to admit…

In this letter, J. Hambleton Ober, a member of the Peabody Institute Board of Trustees, responds to William L. Marbury with his opinion on the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory.

Dear Billy -
I am sorry to have been so slow in…

In this letter, F. Grainger Marburg, a member of the Peabody Institute Board of Trustees, responds to William L. Marbury with his opinion on the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory.

After William L. Marbury heard from most of the Board of Trustees members affirming their approval of accepting Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory, he sent this letter to Conservatory Director Reginald Stewart. Marbury’s expectation of “removing the…

In this letter, J. Hall Pleasants, a member of the Peabody Institute Board of Trustees and the Conservatory Committee, responds to William L. Marbury with his opinion on the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory.

Dear Bill
I vote…

In this letter, Thomas B. Butler, a member of the Peabody Institute Board of Trustees, responds to William L. Marbury with his opinion on the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory.

In this letter, Harris E. Kirk, a member of the Peabody Institute Board of Trustees, responds to William L. Marbury with his opinion on the admission of Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory.

Dear Mr. Marbury -
Replying to your letter of July 22nd…

After hearing from the Conservatory Committee, William L. Marbury sent this letter updating Reginald Stewart on the discussion of Paul A. Brent’s application to the Conservatory.