Dillard, Mary Jane

Mary Jane Dillard – Teacher (1874 – 1954); Lawrence

In Brief:

Mary Jane Dillard was the daughter of illiterate ex-slaves that valued education. After high school, she attended KU and graduated in 1896. She then taught the all-black primary class at Pickney School. Langston Hughes, American poet and social activist, was her second-grade student in 1908. They kept in touch over the years. Mary took graduate classes at KU in English and special education. In 1913 she became principal at all-black Lincoln School.

More Information:

Mary Jane Dillard was the daughter of illiterate ex-slaves who valued education.  She obtained several college degrees, then became a teacher and school principal in Lawrence.

Mary’s parents were born into slavery in Virginia but may not have met until they were in Lawrence.  Her father, Jessie Dillard, arrived in 1868.  He worked for the Lawrence, Leavenworth and Galveston Railroad and eventually purchased a lot at 520 Louisiana Street.  The two-story house he built there still stands and is listed on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.[1]  Her mother, Frances B “Frannie” Johnson, and her son, Charles, came to Lawrence much earlier.[2] Jessie and Frances were married in the Lawrence area in May 1872.[3]

Mary Jane Dillard was born in Lawrence on Sept. 10, 1874.  Her older brother, Jessie, Jr., had passed away at age 18 months less than 1 month before her birth.[4] Her half-brother, Charles, was about 17 years old and may not have been living in Lawrence.  He was a talented musician and became a traveling minstrel.[5]

Schools in Lawrence were segregated at least into the 1880’s.[6]  Jessie and Francis Dillard valued education as did many black individuals who had moved to Lawrence for a better life.  Many of their children took full advantage of the educational opportunity.  In 1875, Judith Keith, the daughter of another ex-slave, was one of 4 black teachers in Lawrence public schools.[7] 

Mary soon joined the ranks of educators.  After high school, she attended KU and graduated in 1896.  She then taught the all-black primary class at Pickney School. Langston Hughes, American poet and social activist, was her second-grade student in 1908.  They kept in touch over the years.  Mary took graduate classes at KU in English and special education.  In 1913 she became principal at all-black Lincoln School.[8]

She passed away on Nov. 29, 1954, in Lawrence.  She rests alongside her family members at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.[9]

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• [1] Katie Armitage, “Seeking A Home Where He Himself Is Free,” Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains 31, Autumn 2008, 170.
• [2] findagrave.com/memorial/119151745/charles-johnson
• [3] Armitage, “Seeking A Home,” 170.
• [4] findagrave.com/memorial/38590868/jesse-dillard
• [5] findagrave.com/memorial/119151745/charles-johnson
• [6] Armitage, “Seeking A Home,” 164-5.
• [7] Armitage, “Seeking A Home,” 167.
• [8] Armitage, “Seeking A Home,”170.
• [9] findagrave.com/memorial/202072340/mary-jane-dillard

By M. Jardon, 5/2026