Charles Edward Brewer (1866-1941) served as the third president of Meredith College from 1915 until 1939. Dr. Brewer was previously a professor of chemistry and dean of the faculty at Wake Forest College. Brewer saw the school through many significant world events including World War I and the Great Depression, as well as those noteworthy in the history of the school, including the Spanish flu quarantine (1918), Meredith College’s accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1921,) the creation of the Twig, the first “Alice in Wonderland” (1924), the move from downtown to the “Tucker Farm” campus (1925-26), and the addition of Meredith College to the list of “approved colleges” by the Association of American Universities (1928.) Brewer Residence Hall is named for Charles Brewer.
His daughter, Dr. Ellen Brewer (Class of 1918) was a professor in the Home Economics Department from 1922-1944 and it is for her that the Brewer House was named.
Charles Brewer was president of Meredith College from 1915 to 1939.
The faculty and staff of Meredith College in 1924.
On October 9, 1924, President Brewer stands in the midst of a cotton field on what was the Tucker Farm for the groundbreaking for the new campus. The faculty, trustees and students then enjoyed a dinner of barbeque, potato salad, sandwiches and ice cream.
In 1925, President Brewer, trustees and officials participated in a ceremony dedicating the cornerstone to what would be Johnson Hall.
President Brewer as the subject of an affectionate poem in the 1927 Oak Leaves.
Ellen Brewer, daughter of Charles Brewer, graduated from Meredith college in 1918. She oversaw the Department of Home Economics for 40 years. Brewer House, originally built as a "practice home,"was named in her honor.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
