L. C. Anderson facts for kids

Laurine Cecil Anderson (born June 4, 1853, in Memphis, Tennessee – died January 8, 1938, in Austin, Texas) was an important teacher and school leader in Texas. He is best known for helping to start the Colored Teachers State Association of Texas (CTSAT). He also spent many years as the principal of the Prairie View Normal Institute.

Early Life and Education

Laurine Cecil Anderson was born in 1853. His parents were enslaved, meaning they were not free. He went to public schools in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Later, he earned a degree in Methodist Ministry from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Starting His Career in Education

L.C. Anderson taught alongside the famous educator Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee University in Alabama. He also trained to become a Methodist minister.

In 1879, Anderson moved to Texas. He went there to help his brother, Earnest H. Anderson. His brother was also a minister and teacher at the Prairie View Normal Institute. Today, this school is known as Prairie View A&M University.

Anderson's first job in Texas was as a school principal in Brenham. Soon after, he moved to Prairie View. There, he worked as his brother's assistant. He believed the school should become a full university.

Leading the Colored Teachers State Association

In 1884, L.C. Anderson became the first president of the Colored Teachers State Association of Texas (CTSAT). He led the association until 1889.

After his brother Earnest died on October 29, 1885, Governor Oran Roberts chose L.C. Anderson to be the principal of Prairie View. Anderson worked hard to improve education for African Americans in Texas. He also tried to unite Black leaders in business, politics, and religious groups.

Time at Prairie View Normal Institute

The Prairie View Normal Institute was created in 1879. It was meant to be an agricultural and mechanical college for African American youth. The school was struggling and almost closed. However, it was saved by being split into two smaller schools. One of these was Prairie View Normal Institution.

Ernest H. Anderson was appointed the principal, and his brother L.C. Anderson joined as his assistant. After Ernest's death, Laurine became the principal. He stayed in this role for eleven years.

Founding the CTSAT: Colored Teachers State Association of Texas

The Colored Teachers State Association of Texas (CTSAT) was started by L.C. Anderson, David Abner Sr., and eleven other people. They created it to "promote quality education for blacks and good working conditions for black teachers."

Members paid dues to fund the association, and all the work was done by volunteers. In 1893, the CTSAT organized eight district groups in East Texas. They worked with politicians like Norris Wright Cuney and John Rayner to increase Black political power in Texas.

In its early years, the association pushed for a Black university. Members felt that Black teachers and students needed this education to gain equal status with white people. The CTSAT continued to fight for equal rights for Black teachers. In 1961, it helped teachers get equal salaries. It also provided money and legal help for the Sweatt v. Painter court case in 1946.

Later Career and Anderson High School

In 1896, after eleven years as principal of Prairie View, Anderson was fired. He had a strong argument with D.A. Paulus during a board meeting at Prairie View. They disagreed about Black rights, a topic Anderson cared deeply about. This debate led to him losing his job right away. Edward L. Blackshear replaced him as principal.

Some people thought Paulus might have provoked Anderson to have a reason to fire him. There was also talk that politics played a role. Anderson was a Republican, and Blackshear was a Democrat.

Ironically, Anderson moved to Austin to become the Superintendent of Black Schools. This was a job Blackshear had held before. Anderson served in this role from 1896 to 1929. The school he led later became Anderson High School. It was first named for his brother and then renamed in L.C. Anderson's honor. At that time, it was the only high school in Austin for Black students.

He was the principal and taught Latin until 1928. He had to resign due to his health. However, he continued to teach Latin until he died in 1938. After his death, the Austin school board renamed the school after him. This honored his thirty-two years of service as principal.

L.C. Anderson High School

Anderson High School in Austin, Texas, was founded in 1889. It was the first high school for African American children in the city. The school was first named after Earnest H. Anderson. He was L.C. Anderson's brother and had been principal of Prairie View Normal Institution from 1879 to 1885.

In 1938, the school was renamed after L.C. Anderson. He had also served as Prairie View's principal for eleven years. He was also Anderson High School's principal for 33 years and taught there until his death in 1938.

Personal Life

L.C. Anderson married Lizzie Pollard in 1882. They had four children together before she passed away. After Lizzie's death, he married Fanny Pollard, and they had one more child. L.C. Anderson died on January 8, 1938. He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.