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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.

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.

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…

After receiving notice from Reginald Stewart of Paul A. Brent’s application to Peabody, Institute President William Marbury sent this letter to all of the Board of Trustees members who made up the Conservatory Committee.

Peabody Institute President William L. Marbury sent this letter to the Board of Trustees asking for their opinion on accepting Paul A. Brent to the Conservatory.

After receiving Paul A. Brent’s request for assistance with his application to the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Jackson wrote this letter to the Honorable Howard W. Jackson, Esq., the former mayor of Baltimore, asking for support.

This hand written note is from Reginald Stewart, Director of the Conservatory, to William L. Marbury, President of the Peabody Institute.

Dear Bill,
The attached correspondence is obviously about a negro music student. What do you want to do…

Paul A. Brent sent this letter to his high school mentor, Robert L. Jackson, asking for assistance in his application to the Peabody Conservatory, which at the time did not admit African-American students. His application started a long discussion…

Hon. Howard W. Jackson, Esq., formerly the mayor of Baltimore, sent this letter to Reginald Stewart in support of Paul A. Brent’s application to the Peabody Conservatory.

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…