Historians

by Woodard, John R., Jr. John Thomas Alderman, educator, Baptist historian, and Mason, was born in Salemburg, Sampson County. His father was Amariah Biggs Alderman (1819–89), a Baptist minister in Sampson and adjoining [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Murphy, Eva B. John Brevard Alexander, physician, historian, and churchman, was born in Lemley's Township, Mecklenburg County. Of Scot-Irish ancestry, he was the son of Robert Davidson Alexander, grandson of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Dudley, Harold J. Julia McGehee Alexander was an attorney, author, legislator, and historian. She was born of Scot-Irish ancestry at Enderly, her father's plantation, three miles north of Charlotte in Mecklenburg [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Gainor, Samuel M. William Cicero Allen, educator and historian, was born in Halifax of Scottish ancestry. His father was James V. Allen, the leading merchant in Halifax County and a major of the local regiment of Home [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Hirsch, Jerrold M. Alex Mathews Arnett, historian and teacher, was born near Sylvania, Ga., the fourth son in a family of six children. His father, Hamilton John Arnett, was well known in Sylvania for his work as [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Woody, Robert H. John Spencer Bassett, historian, was born at Tarboro, the second child of Richard Baxter Bassett and Mary Jane Wilson Bassett. His father had come from Virginia to eastern North Carolina as a builder [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Woody, Robert H. William Kenneth Boyd, historian, was born at Curryville, Mo., the second son and the youngest of six children of the Reverend Harvey Marshall and Mary Elizabeth Black Boyd. His father, a native of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Cummings, Lindy. Gertrude Sprague Carraway defined her personal philosophy in three words: “history, education, and patriotism.” She said she “never had any specific goals,” yet her list of accomplishments was long. [...] (from North Carolina Historic Sites.)

by Gass, W. Conard. Eli Washington Caruthers, Presbyterian minister, educator, and historian, was born in Rowan County, near Salisbury. His parents were James and Elizabeth Lawrence Caruthers. The second of seven [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Carroll, Grady L. E., Sr. Elmer Talmage Clark, world Methodist leader, author, historian, and publicist, was born in Randolph County, Ark. He attended West Plains College, Mo.; Hendrix College, Ark.; and Vanderbilt [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Meekins, A. Christopher. Jurist and editor of The State Records of North Carolina, as well as the five-volume set “Histories of the Several Regiments and Battalions from North Carolina in the Great War 1861-65,” Walter Clark [...] (from NC Office of Archives and History.)

by Jones, H. G. Robert Digges Wimberly Connor, historian and archivist, was born in Wilson, the fourth child and third son of the twelve children of Henry Groves and Kate Whitfield Connor. His father, an attorney, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jones, H. G. David Leroy Corbitt, archivist and historical editor, was born in Chicod Township, Pitt County, the second of three children and only son of James Samuel and Mary Virginia Parkerson Corbitt. His [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jones, H. G. Charles Christopher Crittenden, university professor, historian, author, and state agency head, was born in Wake Forest, the only child of Charles Christopher and Ethel Taylor Crittenden. His father [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Richard Dillard, physician and local historian, was born at Farmers Delight, his father's plantation in Nansemond County, Va. The son of Dr. Richard and Mary Louisa Beverly Cross Dillard, he was [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Hall, Louise MCG. Eaton, William Clement by Louise McG. Hall, 1986 23 Feb. 1898–12 Aug. 1980 William Clement Eaton, historian, was born in Winston, the son of Benjamin and Mary Gaston Hough Eaton. His father, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Agan, Kelly, Davis, Sarajanee. Helen Edmonds was an American historian, university professor and civic leader. She is especially noted for her 1947 Ph.D. dissertation as well as her thirty-six-year career at North Carolina Central [...] (from Government & Heritage Library, State Library of North Carolina.)

by . Mary Claire Engstrom was born in 1906 in Kansas City, Mo., and moved to Chapel Hill, N.C., to attend the University of North Carolina, earning her Ph.D. in English literature in 1939. She is best [...] (from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries.)

by Foard, John Hanby, Jr. John Hanby Foard, textile executive, manufacturer, museum director, and Civil War historian, was born in Wilmington, the fourth child of Charles Deems (1863–1951) and Florence Hanby (1875–1932) [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Bair, Anna Withers. Adelaide Lisetta Fries, archivist, historian, author, and genealogist, was born in Salem. Her father, John William Fries, was an industrialist, inventor, church leader, and student who [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Anderson, Jean B. William Alexander Graham, Jr., farmer and state commissioner of agriculture, was born in Hillsborough, the third of nine sons of William Alexander Graham, a governor of North Carolina and secretary [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Copeland, J. Isaac. Fletcher Melvin Green, educator and distinguished historian of the South, was born near Gainesville, Ga., the son of Robert Chambers and Mary Mahala Haynes Green. He received his early education in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Lackey, Mark Dixon. Clarence Wilbur Griffin, newspaper editor and historian, was born in Spindale, Rutherford County, the son of Lewis W. and Naomi Johnson Greene Griffin. After graduation from Spindale High in 1923, he [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Smith, Maud Thomas. John Bryan Grimes, secretary of state of North Carolina, agricultural and cultural leader, historian, and public speaker, was born in Pitt County, the son of Bryan Grimes, a major general in the Army [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by . Born in Hillsborough, North Carolina on August 6, 1878, Joseph Gregoire de Roulhac Hamilton came from a family with deep Southern roots. His great-grandfather was Nullification governor of South [...] (from NC Office of Archives and History.)

by Durden, Robert F. William Baskerville Hamilton, historian, was born in Jackson, Miss., the oldest son of William B. and Bessie Cavett Hamilton. After attending the public schools in Jackson, he received an A.B. degree [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Paschal, Herbert R., Jr. James Robert Bent Hathaway, businessman and historical editor, was born in Edenton. The Hathaway family, of Welsh origin, migrated in the mid-eighteenth century from Dartmouth, Mass., and settled [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Corlew, Robert E. John Haywood, Revolutionary soldier, lawyer, jurist, and historian, was born in Halifax County where his grandfather had migrated from Virginia. His parents were Egbert and Sarah Ware Haywood, both [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Cheshire, Lucius M., Jr. Marshall De Lancey Haywood, historian and author, was born in Raleigh, the son of Richard Bennehan and Julia Ogden Hicks Haywood. His father was a distinguished physician and his grandfather, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Tise, Larry E. John Franklin Heitman, educator, clergyman, editor, and historian, was born in Davidson County near Lexington, the son of Henry and Eve McRary Heitman. In 1861 he entered Trinity College around which [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Littleton, I. T. Daniel Harvey Hill, Jr., college president, teacher, writer, and historian, was born at Davidson College, the son of Isabella Morrison and Daniel Harvey Hill. His father was an outstanding lieutenant [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Taylor, R. Hargus. James Dunn Hufham, Baptist clergyman, editor, and historian, was born near Faison, Duplin County, the second of nine children of the Reverend George Washington and Frances Dunn Hufham. His [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Gass, W. Conard. Cyrus Lee Hunter, physician, scientist, and historian, was born in Lincoln (now Gaston) County, one of ten children of the Reverend Humphrey and Jane Ross Hunter. His father, of French Huguenot-Scots [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Cecelski, David S. Historian Alice Eley Jones and I recently got into her Jeep and went in search of herring -- or at least the history of herring fishing. We were in Murfreesboro, her hometown. Herring have been an [...] (from Listening to History, News and Observer.)

by Miles, Edwin A. Joseph Seawell Jones, historian and humbug, was born in Warren County, the son of Edward J. and Elizabeth Seawell Jones. His father, a planter, owned a 2,000-acre tract near Shocco Springs; his [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Wilson, Clyde. Benjamin Burks Kendrick, historian, was born at Woodland, Talbot County, Ga., the son of William Thomas and Levicie Maddox Kendrick. The Kendrick family was substantial and of English origins. After [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Ellison, George. Horace Sowers Kephart, writer, outdoorsman, and librarian, was born in East Salem, Pa., the son of Isaiah L., a teacher, editor, and clergyman, and Mary Elizabeth Sowers Kephart. His ancestors had [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Southern, Gilbert Edwin, Jr. Lanning, John Tate by Gilbert Edwin Southern, Jr., 1991 13 Sept. 1902–15 Aug. 1976 John Tate Lanning, historian, was born in Linwood, Davidson County, the son of Baxter Franklin and Carrie [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Woody, Robert H. William Thomas Laprade, educator, historian, and editor, was born in Franklin County, Va., the son of Mary Elizabeth Muse and George Washington Laprade. The family had long owned a mill on Snow [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Hugh Talmage Lefler, historian and author, was born in Cooleemee, Davie County, the son of Charles Deems and Eva May Swicegood Lefler. After attending Weaver Junior College, he was graduated from [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Cotten, Alice R. Lichtenstein, Gaston by Alice R. Cotten, 1991 17 Dec. 1879–16 Jan. 1954 Gaston Lichtenstein, researcher, writer, and historian, was born in Tarboro, the son of David and Hannah Zander [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Neill Roderick McGeachy, clergyman, church historian, and author, was born in Lenoir, the son of the Reverend Daniel Patrick and Lila Peck English McGeachy. Educated at Greenbrier Military School in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Perdew, Margaret Moore. Louis Toomer Moore, journalist, author, and local historian, was born in Wilmington, the son of Colonel Roger and Susan Eugenia Beery Moore. He was a lineal descendant of James Moore, colonial [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Engstrom, Mary Claire. Francis (Frank) Nash, lawyer, assistant attorney general, local historian, and author, was born at Floral College, Robeson County, the son of the Reverend Frederick Kollock Nash, a Presbyterian [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Goins, Michael Edgar. Nixon, Alfred by Michael Edgar Goins, 1991; Revised by SLNC Government and Heritage Library, July 2023 26 May 1856–26 Mar. 1924 Alfred Nixon, local official and historian, was born in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Crabtree, Beth G. Frederick Augustus Olds, historian, newspaper columnist, lecturer, and editor, probably was born in North Carolina. He was the son of Louis and Pauline Evans Olds, natives of Pitt County. His father, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Stroupe, Henry S. George Washington Paschal, classical philologist, educator, and historian, was born on a farm near Siler City, the son of Richard Bray and Matilda Schmidt Paschal. His father was sheriff of Chatham [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Copeland, J. Isaac. Patton, James Welch by J. Isaac Copeland, 1994 28 Sept. 1900–17 May 1973 James Welch Patton, educator, archivist, and historian, was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., the son of James Wesley and [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Walser, Richard. William Joseph Peele, lawyer and cultural leader, was born near Jackson in Northampton County, the youngest of fourteen children of Isaac (1807–91) and Nancy Thompson Cobb Peele (1812–78). He was the [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Mitchell, Memory F. Edward William (Ned) Phifer, Jr., surgeon and historian, was born in Morganton, the son of Edward William and Susan Presnell Phifer. Following graduation from Morganton High School in 1928, he [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Lang, Herbert H. Albert James Pickett, planter and historian, was born in Anson County, the youngest of three children of Colonel William Raiford and France Dickson Pickett. The Pickett family, of Scottish, English, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Eagles, Brenda M. Thomas Merritt Pittman, lawyer and judge, was born in Franklin County near the town of Louisburg to Alfred H. and Elizabeth Alston Neathery Pittman. He attended the local common schools and Belford [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Graham, Nicholas. William S. Powell was a historian, author, teacher, and librarian known for his extensive work on the history of North Carolina. He was born April 28, 1919 in a house built by his great-grandfather [...] (from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries.)

by Riley, Jack. Darley Hiden Ramsey, editor, newspaper manager, historian, and scholar, was born in Gretna, Va., the son of Simeon Clay and Lucy Pinckard Ramsey of Ferrum, Va. In 1903 the family moved to Asheville, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Raper, Horace W. Charles Lee Raper, historian, economist, and educator, was born near High Point, the son of Solomon Andrew and Luzena Hitchcoch Raper. He was graduated in 1892 with a B.A. degree from Trinity College [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Sims, E. Thomas. William Cornelius Reichel, educator, historian, and Moravian clergyman, was born in Salem, the son of the Reverend Gotthold Benjamin and Henrietta Frederica Vierling Reichel. Reichel's ancestors were [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Bair, Anna Withers. Douglas LeTell Rights, bishop-elect of the Moravian church, historian, and author, was born in Salem, the son of George Hanes and Emma Jones Rights. George Rights was an editor for the locally [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Stauter, Mark C. James Fred Rippy, historian and educator, was born in a log house near Nubia, in Sumner County, Tenn., the son of Robert Sidney and Mary Frances Grant Rippy. He grew up on a subsistence farm until a [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Mcgeachy, Neill R. Elijah Frink Rockwell, Presbyterian minister, writer, historian, teacher, and college president, was born in Lebanon, Conn., the son of Joseph and Sarah Huntington Rockwell. He received his early [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Mcgeachy, Neill R. Jethro Rumple, Presbyterian minister, historian, and "father" of the Presbyterian Home for Children, was born in Cabarrus County, the son of Mary Winecoff Rumple and David Thomas Houston. He was [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Meekins, A. Christopher. Saunders, William Laurence By Christopher Meekins, North Carolina Office of Archives and History, 2020;  Revised December 2021 by NC Government & Heritage Library 1835-1891  “I [...] (from NC Office of Archives and History.)

by Smith, Maud Thomas. Henry Thomas Shanks, historian, author, and teacher, was born in Vance County, the son of Henry Taylor and Maude Jenkins Shanks. He was educated at Buies Creek Academy and at Wake Forest College, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Green, C. Sylvester. Shepherd, Henry Elliot by C. Sylvester Green, 1994 17 Jan. 1844–29 May 1929 Henry Elliot Shepherd, college president, author, and [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. William Cunningham Smith, educator and author, was born in Greensboro, the son of Samuel Cunningham and Margaret Ella Cunningham Smith. As an undergraduate at The University of North Carolina he was [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Williamson, Samuel R., Jr. John Leslie Snell, Jr., historian, academic administrator, and defender of academic freedom, was born at Plymouth in Washington County. The son of John Leslie and Lessie Ann McLamb Snell, he grew up [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Lee, James Daniel. Forster Alexander Sondley, attorney and scholar, was born at Montrealla, his maternal grandfather's home in Alexander, a community ten miles north of Asheville. As an adult he most often referred to [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Grant, Dorothy F. James Sprunt, exporter, Cape Fear historian, and philanthropist, arrived in Wilmington in 1854 from his native Glasgow, Scotland, with his parents, Alexander and Jane Dalziel Sprunt. She was the [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Massengale, William F. W. Stephens, George Myers by William F. W. Massengale, 1994 19 July 1904–20 Dec. 1978 George Myers Stephens, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Woody, Robert H. Charles Sackett Sydnor, historian and university administrator, was born in Augusta, Ga., the oldest of five children of Evelyn Aiken Sackett and Giles Granville Sydnor, pastor of the Green Street [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Wilson, Clyde. Holland McTyeire Thompson, historian of the New South, was born in Randolph County to D. Matt and Mary Elizabeth Rice Thompson. Reared in Denver, Lincolnton, and Statesville, where his father was for [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Gifford, James F. Josiah Charles Trent, surgeon and historian of medicine, was born in Okmulgee, Okla., the youngest of four children, to parents of English ancestry. His father, Josiah Charles Trent, was a native of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Eagles, Brenda M. Tucker, Glenn Irving by Brenda Marks Eagle, 1996 30 Nov. 1892–26 Oct. 1976 Glenn Irving Tucker, author and historian, was born in Tampico, Ind., to William W. and Bertha Clark Tucker. Reared [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Panthea Massenburg Twitty, photographer, ceramist, and historical writer, was born in Warrenton, the daughter of Nancy B. White and John B. Massenburg. She was educated in local schools, studied art [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Walser, Richard Gaither by William S. Powell, 1996 23 Oct. 1908–25 Nov. 1988 Richard Gaither Walser, college professor, author, and cultural leader, was born in Lexington in a family of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Smith, Claiborne T., Jr. Watson, John Fanning by Claiborne T. Smith, Jr., 1996 15 June 1779–23 Dec. 1860 John Fanning Watson, historian, financier, and correspondent of John Hill Wheeler, was [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Bradford, M. E. Richard Malcolm Weaver, Jr., intellectual historian, rhetorician, and political philosopher, was born at Asheville in Buncombe County, the son of Richard Malcolm (1870–1915) and Carolyn Embry Weaver, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jones, H. G. Weeks, Stephen Beauregard by H. G. Jones, 1996 2 Feb. 1865–3 May 1918 Stephen Beauregard Weeks, historian, bibliographer, collector of North Caroliniana, and government official, was born [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jones, H. G. John Hill Wheeler, historian, lawyer, and diplomat, was born in Murfreesboro, the son of John, a prominent shipping merchant, and Elizabeth Jordan Wheeler. He studied at Hertford Academy under the [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jones, H. G. Whitener, Daniel Jay by H. G. Jones, 1996 17 Aug. 1898–23 Mar. 1964 Daniel Jay Whitener, historian and college administrator, was born near Newton, the son of Daniel Wilfong, a farmer and [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Carraway, Gertrude S. John Dalton Whitford, legislator, railroad president, soldier, and historian, was born in New Bern, the son of Hardy (1793–1841) and Mary James Clark Whitford (1800–1884), who were married on 23 Dec. [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Southern, Gilbert Edwin, Jr. William Thornton Whitsett, educator and historian, was born in what is now Whitsett, near Gibsonville, in eastern Guilford County. Of Scots-Irish and German ancestry, he was the only son of Joseph [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Melvin, Katharine S. Rassie Everton Wicker, land surveyor and local historian, was born near Cameron at Hall's Planer in Moore County, the son of James A. and Lucretia Millis Wicker. He attended the Cameron School and [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Weaver, Frances A. Louis Round Wilson, librarian and educator, was born in Lenoir, the sixth and last child of Jethro Reuben and Louisa Jane Round Wilson. Both of his parents were teachers, and though they could not [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)