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William E. Beard

1873 – 1950

College football player, soldier, journalist, war correspondent, and naval historian

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About William E. Beard

Lived 1873 – 1950 (aged 77). William E. Beard was an American journalist and american football player.

William Ewing Beard (July 12, 1873 – December 21, 1950) was a college football player, soldier, journalist, war correspondent, naval historian, and long-time officer of the Tennessee Historical Commission and member of the Tennessee Historical Society. He wrote several books on Nashville and dubbed Vanderbilt University the Commodores.

Early life Beard was born on July 12, 1873, in Estill Springs, Tennessee, to Richard Beard, a Confederate captain, and Marie Dromgoole, of Estill Springs, Tennessee. He attended Vanderbilt from 1890 to 1893.

Writer Beard joined the staff of the Nashville American in 1896. In 1897 he was the first to dub Vanderbilt the Commodores. While at the American, Beard employed former Vandy player Bob Blake.

Beard became the state news editor of the Banner in 1910, promoted to associated editor in 1933.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Vanderbilt University
Also known as
William Ewing Beard

People in William E. Beard's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William E. Beard's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William E. Beard?

college football player, soldier, journalist, war correspondent, and naval historian (1873-1950)

When was William E. Beard born?

William E. Beard was born on 12 July 1873 in Estill Springs.

When did William E. Beard die?

William E. Beard died on 21 December 1950 in Nashville.

What was William E. Beard's occupation?

William E. Beard was a journalist and american football player.

What nationality was William E. Beard?

William E. Beard was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William E. Beard

· Wikidata: Q19576910

· DBpedia: William E. Beard

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William E. Beard. https://biography.guide/william-e-beard/

MLA: "William E. Beard." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-e-beard/.

Chicago: "William E. Beard." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-e-beard/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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