Leon Quincy Jackson
American architect and professor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leon Quincy Jackson (January 9, 1926,[1] or 1927–July 21, 1995),[2] was an American architect and professor. He was known for his modernist building designs. He is thought to be the first black architect in Oklahoma,[3] however he faced discrimination and was not able to take the state licensing exam. His architecture firm was named L. Quincy Jackson & Associates.[4]
Leon Quincy Jackson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | January 9, 1927, or alternatively January 9, 1926 Wewoka, Oklahoma, U.S.[1] |
| Died | July 21, 1995 Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
Burial place | Greenwood Cemetery |
| Other name | L. Quincy Jackson |
| Education | Wilberforce University, Iowa State University Kansas State University, University of Oklahoma |
| Occupations | Architect, professor |
| Movement | Modernism |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
Leon Quincy Jackson was born on January 9 in either 1926 or 1927 in Wewoka, Oklahoma.[1][2] He was raised by his mother Roxie Ann Jackson, a high school principal, and his stepfather Lonnie Galimore, a pharmacist.[1][5] His mother was one-half Seminole and owned a large farm with oil reserves and a handful of active oil derricks.[1]
He had studied at Wilberforce University and Iowa State University.[6] Jackson received a B.A. degree in architecture (1950) from Kansas State University; and received a M.S. degree (1954) in planning from the University of Oklahoma (OU).[7][8][6] Jackson was a student of Bruce Goff.[7] He was the third black student to receive a master's degree in planning from OU.[6]
Career
In 1950, Jackson was the first African-American architect to open an office in the state of Oklahoma.[2] He was hampered in taking his Oklahoma state licensing exam because of his race.[2]
Before receiving his master's degree, Jackson taught architectural engineering at Prairie View A&M University.[6] In 1954, Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia, visited Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Jackson attended the event.[9]
In 1954, Jackson moved to Nashville.[7] He taught at Tennessee State University (TSU) from 1954 until ?.[7] He established the architectural engineering program at TSU.[7] He was an influence on many students, including architect Bob Wesley.[10][11]
From 1966 until 1975, Jackson was a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).[12]
Death and legacy
Jackson died on July 21, 1995, and was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville.[10] Some of his buildings have been lost to fire or demolition but others remain standing.[10]
His daughter, Lillian Q. Jackson (born 1966) was employed by her father. She received a B.A. degree in Urban Studies with a focus on Urban Planning and Development from The University of Tennessee Knoxville.
His son, Leon Quincy Jackson, Jr. (1969–2016) worked as a promoter of electronic music in Nashville, Tennessee.[13]
List of buildings
- Jackson House, 2026 Northeast Grand Boulevard (c. 1950s), Edwards Heights Historic District, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his former home[6][3]
- Pagoda of Medicine (1963), former Riverside Adventist Hospital campus (now the Seventh-Day Adventist Church), 707 Youngs Lane, Nashville, Tennessee; now demolished[7][14]
- First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill (1972 remodel), Nashville, Tennessee