Professor E.L. Blackshear was born in Montgomery, Alabama in1862. He was educated in the Negro public schools of Montgomery. So rapid had been his progress that he graduated from Tabor College at the age of eighteen. Professor Blackshear was the fourth principal of Prairie View A&M College from 1895-1918.
Students loved Professor Blackshear. His discipline was firm, but life at the college was rich and varied. He was especially interested in the agricultural phase of industrial education, and asked the Board to establish the “factory plan” used at Tuskegee University. Aware, however, of the continued fight of Negroes for a University, Professor Blackshear asked for a seven year course for the college. The 26th legislature changed the school’s name to Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College, and in 1901 authorized it to offer a four year college course.
“Prairie View the First Seventy-Five Years” Annual Publication of the Prairie View State Normal and Industrial College.
Dr. E.L. Blackshear Memorialized
A portrait of Dr. Edward L. Blackshear was unveiled at Blackshear Hall, memorializing the life and deeds of the ex-principle of Prairie View State College, eminent scholar and educator. Former teachers, students, and friends who knew Dr. Blackshear personally, and seniors and juniors now enrolled in the college assembled early to witness the unveiling ceremony. A poem, a parody, written and read on the occasion by Secretary Napoleon G. Edward was as follows:
Blackshear
Your name shall live in Texas’ heart and home, Your deeds shall meet the coming years in peace. Your love shall sooth and bid the sorrows gone,and free the soul and give the poor release.
You touched the virgin youth with wisdom’s hand, and made the great and lowly hear thy voice. Ignorance was driven from the land, and hope arose mid a loud rejoice.
As a Master, Teacher, kind and just and wise. The truths you planted in the souls of the earth, are beaming bright beyond the cloudy skies, and ages shout the glory of your birth.
You came to teach and bind the broken heart, and nations loved and honored thee, and cried and moaned and wept when you depart. You lit a torch and made the meek and humble see.
“The Prairie View Standard” January 1932 courtesy of Coleman Library, Texas.
The Carroll Origins 