Edgar Toppin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edgar Allan Toppin
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| Born | January 22, 1928 |
| Died | December 8, 2004 (aged 76) |
| Education | Howard University, B.A. (1949), M.A. (1950) History Northwestern University, Ph.D. History (1955) |
| Occupation | Professor, Author, Historian |
| Employer | Virginia State University Dean of the Graduate School (1979–1993) Professor of History (1964–2003) Virginia Commonwealth University Visiting Professor of History (1993–2003) |
| Known for | A distinguished scholar, numerous publications in intellectual, business, American and African-American history |
| Board member of | Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (1982–1996) National Park Service (1975–1980) Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, President – (1974–1976) Virginia Historical Society (1989–1994) Black History Museum and Cultural Center (19XX–19XX) National Historical Publications and Records Commission (1972–1978) |
| Spouse(s) | Antionette Toppin |
| Children | Edgar Allan Toppin, Jr. (1954–1971) Avis Bent Louise Toppin |
| Parent(s) | Vivien Leopold Toppin (father), Maude Catherine Joel Toppin Smith (mother) |
Edgar Allan Toppin, Sr. (born January 22, 1928 – died December 8, 2004) was an African-American history professor and author. He was an expert in the Civil War, the Reconstruction period, and African-American history. Dr. Toppin taught for over 40 years, mostly at Virginia State University. He wrote ten books about American and African-American history.
He was a member of several important historical groups. These included the National Park Service and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He also led the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. As president of this group, he helped change Black History Week into Black History Month in 1976.
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Early Life and Education
Edgar Allan Toppin was born in Harlem, New York. His parents, Maude Catherine Joel and Vivien Leopold Toppin, were immigrants. Maude was from Bermuda and Vivien was from Grenada. Edgar was the second of six children.
He was named after the famous writer Edgar Allan Poe. From a young age, Edgar Toppin loved to read and learn. He would often go to the roof of his apartment building to read books. His family was poor, and growing up during the Great Depression was very difficult. The Great Depression was a time in the 1930s when many people in the United States lost their jobs and struggled to find food and shelter.
At 16, he started college at New York City College. After one semester, he received a scholarship to Howard University. There, he earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in History in 1949. He then got his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in History in 1950. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Later, he studied at Northwestern University. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in History in 1955. During his studies, he received special fellowships, which are like scholarships for advanced students.
Teaching and Important Work
In 1964, Dr. Toppin began teaching at Virginia State University (VSU). In the mid-1960s, he created an educational TV course called Americans from Africa. This course had 30 lessons and taught about African-American history. It first aired in Richmond, Virginia, and later was shown across the country.
In 1966, Dr. Toppin made history again. He was the first African-American person allowed to join the Virginia Historical Society. In 1989, he became the first African-American member of their board of trustees.
One of his most important achievements was helping to create Black History Month. While he was president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History from 1974 to 1976, he played a big part in changing Black History Week into a full month of celebration in 1976.
Dr. Toppin was also the first African American to be appointed to the National Park Service's Advisory Board in 1975. This board helps decide which places become national parks or historic sites. He also served on the board of Colonial Williamsburg, a famous historical site.
Back at Virginia State University, he became the Dean of the Graduate School in 1979. Later, from 1987 to 1989, he served as the university's provost and vice president of academic affairs. These are important leadership roles in a university.
In 1992, Dr. Toppin was honored in the Dominion series called Strong Men & Women - Excellence in Leadership. This series celebrates African-American role models who have made a big impact. Other famous people honored in this series include Colin Powell and Maya Angelou. In 1999, the Surry County Historical Society and Museums called Dr. Toppin "one of the greatest living authorities on African-American history."
Dr. Toppin passed away on December 8, 2004, at the age of 76. He is buried next to his son in Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. He once said he hoped people would remember him for being kind to everyone. His grave reads: "He Never Met a Stranger." In 2005, VSU created the Edgar A. Toppin Endowment Fund to honor him.
Awards and Honors
- Named Distinguished Virginian by Governor Linwood Holton
- 1992, Strong Men & Women – Excellence in Leadership Honoree, Dominion
- 1994, Scholar Awards, Virginia Social Science Association
- 1995, Outstanding Faculty Award for teaching excellence, Virginia State Council of Higher Education
- 2003, Named distinguished professor emeritus, Virginia State University
Quotes About Dr. Toppin
- He is recognized and acknowledged as one of the great authorities in African-American history. – Dr. Charles F. Bryan Jr., Director of the Virginia Historical Society
- one of the greatest living authorities on African-American history. – The Surry County, Virginia, Historical Society and Museums, December 1999
- He was and continues to be a scholar, gentleman and a mentor to me. He is one of the most memorable professors I ever had, at any level and I attended three colleges. – Dr. William Harvey, president of Hampton University
