Hugh Gloster

Hugh Morris Gloster (May 11, 1911 - February 16, 2002) was the seventh president of Morehouse College, responsible for establishing the Morehouse School of Medicine and the international studies program. He was also one of the founders of the College Language Association.

Early years Hugh Gloster was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, to John and Dora Gloster and grew up in Memphis.

Morehouse College Gloster was chosen as Morehouse's next president by Benjamin Mays, the previous president, with the agreement of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., then on the board of trustees.

Under Gloster's leadership the campus Morehouse doubled in size, as well as in the number of faculty members and their salaries. After retiring he served on the Morehouse College Board of Trustees until his death. Ironically, Spike Lee referenced Gloster as having voiced discriminating comments against Black people with dark complexion. Lee stated that Gloster complained that the actor portraying the college president in "School Daze" was too dark skinned.

Death and legacy Hugh Gloster died on January 16, 2002, at the age of 90. The Hugh Gloster building of the medical school is named for him.

Publications Negro Voices in American Fiction (1948) The Brown thrush : anthology of verse by Negro students (1935)