Paul Christopher Anderson named University historian

A longtime faculty member who teaches history to students will tell the story of the University’s history to the world. Associate professor and graduate coordinator, Paul Christopher Anderson, Ph.D. has been named Clemson University’s historian.

“Dr. Anderson is an outstanding scholar and has shown a true passion to bring history to life in a highly consumable way to guide humanity into a better future,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones. Anderson will report directly to Jones while remaining engaged in the History Department’s and his colleagues’ activities.

In his new role, Anderson will build on the significant efforts of the previous historian, Jerry Reel. Anderson will develop written summaries and interpretations of Clemson’s history to continue Reel’s work, collaborating with University administration, current and future history task force committees, and curating the University’s historical records in partnership with University Libraries Special Collections.

Anderson’s position will be essential to discovering and telling the complete history of Clemson University. His work serves to develop programs and initiatives aimed at understanding and interpreting Clemson’s history evidenced through examples such as History in Plain Sight events and historic tours or materials displayed on a dedicated website. Additionally, Anderson will develop recommendations for historical markers for consideration by the Board of Trustees and provide advice and oversight on matters of history and tradition that require interpretation, expertise and sensitivity.

Anderson joined Clemson University in 2000 after graduating with his Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi and quickly made an impact. He was among those profiled in The Best 300 Professors publication by the Princeton Review. In 2004, he was named Alumni Master Teacher, an award for outstanding undergraduate classroom instruction, which is presented to a faculty member nominated by the student body and selected by the Student Alumni Council.

His areas of special interest are the American South and the American Civil War. Anderson’s book, A Short History of the American Civil War, will be published in September 2019 by Bloomsbury (UK).

Anderson will assume new his role on May 16, 2019.