Justin W. Brierly Papers

Justin Brierly was born in Denver, Colo. on September 3, 1905 to a pioneer Colo. family. He attended Manual High School and was a graduate of Columbia College (1929) and the University of Denver Law School. In addition to his legal practice, Brierly worked for Denver Public Schools as a teacher and guidance counselor and established their program of college and scholarship guidance. In 1937, Brierly became the first executive manager of the Central City Opera House Association and later served on the Board of Directors, Exective Board, and eventually become an honorary trustee. He also served on the boards of many public and private organizations and gave the historic McFarlane House in Central City to the Colorado Historical Society (1976). Brierly was a friend to both Jack Kerouac, and Allen Ginsburg, and served as mentor to Neal Cassady; three important figures from the Beat Generation. Brierly is the character: Denver B. Doll in Kerouac's book, On the Road. He died on April 13, 1985 in Denver, Colo.