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]
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]
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]
In 1954, Jackson moved to Nashville.[7] He taught at Tennessee State University (TSU) from 1954 until ?.[7] Jackson had established the architectural engineering program at TSU.[7] He was an influence on many students, including architect Bob Wesley.[10][11]
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 (1966-Present) was employed by her father. She received a B.A. in Urban Studies with a focus on Urban Planning and Development The University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Pagoda of Medicine (1963), former Riverside Adventist Hospital campus (now the Seventh-Day Adventist Church), 707 Youngs Lane, Nashville, Tennessee; now demolished[7][14]
