Ed Ayers
One of America’s most distinguished historians, Dr. Ed Ayers, a Kingsport, Tennessee, native, speaks in Abingdon about his latest book, “American Visions: The United States, 1800-1890.” The event is held Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. at the Washington County Public Library.
This period in American history saw the expansion of slavery, dispossession of Native Americans, mass immigration, technological advances and many other forces that began to shape American culture through traditions of dissent and innovation that are the foundations of America today.
Ayers is the president emeritus and professor of humanities at the University of Richmond. He was formerly a professor and dean of arts and sciences at the University of Virginia. He received his B.A. from the University of Tennessee in American Studies and a Ph.D. in American studies from Yale University.
Ayers is the author of prize-winning histories, including “Southern Journey: The Migrations of the American South: 1790-2020,” and “The Promise of the New South: Life after Reconstruction.” He was named National Professor of the Year and received the National Humanities Medal at the White House.
The series is sponsored by the Friends of the Washington County Public Library, a volunteer, non-profit organization whose purpose is to help strengthen the resources of the library and to make it a dynamic force in the community.
There will be refreshments as well as book sales and signings after the event. For more information, contact the event’s coordinator, Ben Jennings, at ben.h.jennings@gmail.com.
