Sterling A. Brown was born in DC, and lived in the city from 1901 to 1918, and again from 1929 until his death. He was renowned as a teacher, joining the faculty of Howard University in 1929. He published two volumes of poems: Southern Road (1932), and The Last Ride of Wild Bill (1975). In addition, he edited landmark anthologies such as and Negro Poetry and Drama (1938), and The Negro Caravan (1941), and served as Editor on Negro Affairs for the Federal Writers Project during the Depression. In his final years, Sterling Brown moved in with his sister next door at 1218 Kearney St. NE. Two historic plaques have been placed at the front of the home.
Brown served as the first Poet Laureate of Washington, DC, from 1984 until 1989. His Collected Poems were published posthumously, in 1989.
The Homes
1222 Kearney St. NE, Washington, DC
Marked with an historic plaque.
Sterling A. Brown
1222 Kearney St. NE
Located in Brookland neighborhood, Northeast