Stella Brewer Brookes papers

Born in Fanin, Texas, Stella Brewer Brookes married Dr. E. Luther Brookes, a professor of chemistry and Director of the Science Department at Clark College, in 1928 on the campus. After his death in 1944, she pursued the doctoral degree he encouraged her to obtain, and remained loyal to Clark College.

Brookes became the authority on Joel Chandler Harris, noted folklorist. Harris’s famous Uncle Remus character was a “wise, genial, old Negro” who read animal stories to his slave owner’s son; in 1879, he first appeared with a distinctive dialect – which had rarely been used in fiction prior – in the Atlanta Constitution thus securing Harris a place in American literature. Harris went on to author several novels including Uncle Remus: His Songs and Sayings and Uncle Remus and Brer Rabbit. Brookes wrote several biographical entries about Harris and authored Joel Chandler Harris, Folklorist in 1950.

1903 January 22

Born in Fannin, Texas to J. H. and Minnie Brewer; fifth of six children (Noted folklorist J. Mason Brewer was older brother).

1923

Graduated magna cum laude and valedictorian from Wiley College (Wiley, Tex.).

1924

Became member of Clark College faculty.

1928

Married Dr. Enes Luther Brookes in Crogman Chapel (on old Clark University campus), Professor of Chemistry and Director of Science Department.

1930

Earned Master of Arts in English Literature from University of Michigan. Ranked among top five of her class in scholastic excellence.

1944

Husband, Enes Luther Brookes died in Atlanta.

1946

Earned Ph.D. from Cornell University; elected to membership in Pi Lambda Theta and Phi Delta Gamma Honor Societies.

1948

Chosen as "Bronze Woman of the Year in Education" in Atlanta by Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated.

1950

Authored Joel Chandler Harris, Folklorist; published by the University of Georgia Press.

1951

Elected to honorary membership in the International Mark Twain Society.

1957

Chosen by prestigious Encyclopædia Britannica to write biographical sketch on Joel Chandler Harris.

1965

Wrote the Introduction to Schocken Books publication of the Uncle Remus Stories.

1967

Second printing of Joel Chandler Harris, Folklorist issued.

1968 April 1

Wrote special article for the Centennial Edition of the Atlanta Constitution, "Brer Rabbit: Master Trickster"

1969

Retired from Clark College after 45 years; received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Clark College; relocated to Brewer family home in Austin, Texas.

1993 November 15 (or 23)

Died in Austin, Texas.