Adrienne McNeil Herndon

Adrienne Herndon
Herndon Home, designed by Adrienne, in Atlanta, Georgia
Born	Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil (1869-07-22)July 22, 1869 Savannah, Georgia
Died	April 6, 1910(1910-04-06) (aged 40) Atlanta, Georgia
Other names	Anne Du Bignon

Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil Herndon was an actress, professor, and activist in Atlanta, Georgia. While admittedly an African American to friends and colleagues, she performed with the stage name Anne Du Bignon and claimed French-Creole heritage. She was one of the first African American faculty at the University of Atlanta, where she met W. E. B. Du Bois and subsequently worked with him. Herndon and Alonzo Herndon were an influential couple.

Adrienne Elizabeth McNeil was born on July 22, 1869 in Savannah, Georgia. She is described by historian Rebecca Burns as "short and lithe with a lively manner and sophisticated bearing" "[w]ith her creamy skin, wavy brown hair, and dark eyes, Adrienne moved easily [...] and kept her racial background a secret". She was about five feet tall.

McNeil was an 1890 graduate of Atlanta University's Normal Department, and attended the Boston School of Dramatic Arts (1902-3) and New York City's American Academy of Dramatic Arts. For her final project she performed Anthony and Cleopatra under the stage name Anne Du Bignon, claiming she was French-Creole.

At Atlanta University Herndon became "the first director of dramatics and teacher of elocution" from 1895, until her death in 1910. She was one of the first two African American faculty at Atlanta University (the other was George Towns), two years prior to Du Bois. There she organised fundraising and an annual Shakespeare play for the senior class.

In January 1904, Herndon made her debut with a solo-performed at Steinert Hall in Boston again using the name Anne Du Bignon. She also sang at recitals.

Herndon supported black suffrage. Du Bois and Adrienne Herndon were colleagues at Atlanta university. In October 1904, Alonzo signed the Ontario Conference led by Du Bois. Adrienne Herndon, in 1905, hosted the "Niagara Movement" organized by Du Bois. She participated in Du Bois's Wheat Street Baptist Church demonstration on November 30, 1905 for the "southern movement" by joining him on the platform. During the Atlanta Riots two of Alonzo's employees were attacked and killed. The Tuesday morning after the rioting, Herndon along with Reverend Henry H. Proctor met with the city mayor and chief of police to discuss safety for victims and justice for the rioters.