Justin Holland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Justin Holland |
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Portrait from the book Men of Mark (1887).
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | William J.H. White |
| Born | July 26, 1819 Norfolk County, Virginia |
| Died | March 24, 1887 (aged 67) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genres | classical |
| Occupation(s) | music teacher, arranger, composer, textbook author; civil rights activist |
| Instruments | guitar |
| Years active | 1845–87 |
Justin Holland (born July 26, 1819 – died March 24, 1887) was an amazing American musician. He was a classical guitar player, a music teacher, and a community leader. He was also a black man who worked with white people to help slaves escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad. He was a strong activist who fought for equal rights for African Americans.
Holland was famous across the country. People knew him not just for his music, but also for his work in civil rights. He even worked with famous people like Frederick Douglass. Justin Holland wanted to improve himself so he could be a great example for others. As a teacher, he was always very professional with his students. He chose work that was respected and held high standards. The respect he earned helped him achieve his goals for civil rights.
After he passed away, both white and African American people praised him. They spoke highly of his musical skills and his good character. This showed how successful he was in showing the world the admirable qualities of African Americans.
Early Life and Music
Justin Holland grew up in Norfolk County, Virginia. His father, Exum Holland, was a farmer. Justin showed a talent for music when he was young. He could even write music for songs that already had words. But there weren't many chances to hear music or learn instruments where he lived. His main chance to hear music was at church.
When he was 14 years old in 1833, both of his parents died. He then left home and moved to Boston. After a few years, he moved to a nearby town called Chelsea, Massachusetts.
In Boston, he met Signor Mariano Perez, a Spanish musician. Perez was a very skilled guitar player and taught Justin how to play. Justin also learned from Simon Knabel and William Schubert. Both were talented musicians in Ned Kendall's Brass Band. Schubert was a brilliant guitar player, and Justin learned a lot from him. Another teacher, a Scottish man named Pollock, taught him how to play the concert flute.
Since he was young and didn't have his parents, Justin had to work hard. He worked as a laborer to support himself while he learned music. The work was tough, and his lessons cost money. He even gave up sleep so he would have enough time to practice his instruments.
College and Career
Around 1841, when he was about 20, Justin Holland went to Oberlin College in northern Ohio. He studied there for two years. After college, he traveled to Mexico to learn Spanish. He wanted to understand more about Spanish guitar music. He also wanted to read the works of famous guitar masters like Fernando Sor and Dionisio Aguado y García.
Justin returned to Oberlin in 1845. He got married and then moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He became known as "The first black professional in Cleveland."
Justin Holland had at least two children. His daughter, Clara Monteith Holland, was a skilled pianist and guitarist. His son, Justin Minor Holland, Jr., also played guitar. He became a teacher, composer, and wrote a book called Method for the Guitar in 1888.
In Cleveland, Justin gave guitar lessons. Many people wanted to learn from him. He decided to focus on teaching and arranging music for the guitar. He became famous across the country for his musical arrangements. These were often published in collections of about 20 pieces. Some of his collections included Winter Evenings and Gems for the Guitar. He also arranged many duos for two guitars. He arranged others for guitar and violin.
His music method books made him known as one of America's most important guitar teachers. Holland taught in a traditional way. He followed the techniques of European guitar masters. His famous method books were Modern Method for the Guitar (1874) and Comprehensive Method for the Guitar (1876).
Fighting for Civil Rights
Justin Holland was born in 1819 to free black parents in Virginia. At that time, the area had a more open attitude toward African Americans. This meant many black people were free. However, this attitude was changing. The demand for cotton labor was growing, which made slavery more common. Slavery was becoming based on the idea that black people were not as good. The success of free African Americans like Justin showed that freedom was possible. This challenged the ideas behind slavery.
Justin Holland spent his whole life working to make things better for African Americans. He went to Oberlin College when very few African Americans could get a college education. He learned many languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, and German. As an adult, he helped at important meetings for black Americans. He was also the secretary for the "Colored Americans of Cleveland." He worked with the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape to freedom.
He also worked to create a free-black community in South America. He was the secretary for the Central American Land Company.
In 1845, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio. This area was known for being supportive of African Americans. Justin saw it as a place where he could work toward his dream. His dream was for white and black Americans to fully accept each other as equals. He believed that education and fitting into society were the best ways to overcome unfairness. He looked to European culture for high standards. He hoped that people around him would connect him with these good standards. He described his own music using words like "European excellence." He taught the "correct system" for playing the guitar, just like the "best Masters of Europe."
Justin didn't just work on himself. He also helped other black people. He assisted with the Underground Railroad. When white Freemason groups would not accept African Americans, he wrote to groups in Europe. He sought their support and recognition for the free-black Prince Hall Masons. He gained recognition from Masons in several European countries. He also got recognition from groups in Peru and the Dominican Republic.
Images for kids
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List of works from the 1868 cover of Lucia di Lamermoor, arranged by Justin Holland and published by S. Brainard's Sons.
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Arranged works by Justin Holland from the 1871 cover of Giertrude's dream waltz.
