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.^[1][2] He wrote several books on Nashville and dubbed Vanderbilt University the Commodores.

Beard was born on July 12, 1873, in Estill Springs, Tennessee, to Richard Beard, a Confederate captain, and Marie Dromgoole, of Estill Springs, Tennessee.^[3] He attended Vanderbilt from 1890 to 1893.^[2] In 1892 Beard was the first Vanderbilt quarterback to play Tennessee.^[4]

Beard joined the staff of the Nashville American in 1896.^[2][5] In 1897 he was the first to dub Vanderbilt the Commodores.^[6][7][8] While at the American, Beard employed former Vandy player Bob Blake.^[9]

Beard became the state news editor of the Banner in 1910, promoted to associated editor in 1933.^[3]

• It Happened in Nashville. 1912.
• The Battle of Nashville. 1913.
• Red Letter Days in Nashville. 1925.
• Nashville, the Home of History Makers. 1929.
• Andrew Jackson: Man of Destiny. 1942.
• Nashville, a memoir. 1943.
• Men Make the Navy: Recruiting of 17-year-olds Recalls Fact Most American Naval Heroes Joined Service in 'teens. 1943.