William K. Scarborough facts for kids

William Kauffman Scarborough was a history professor at the University of Southern Mississippi. He was known for his views on racial segregation in schools. He believed that schools should remain separate for different races.

Scarborough was a member of the Citizens' Councils. This group worked to keep schools segregated. He was also interviewed in the film Freedom Summer. This movie is about the fight for civil rights.

William Scarborough's Early Life and Education

William Scarborough was born on January 17, 1933. He grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He went to college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his first degree there in 1954.

After college, he joined the Navy. He served for two years, from 1954 to 1956. He worked as a gunnery officer on the ship USS New Jersey (BB-62).

Continuing His Studies

After his time in the Navy, Scarborough went back to school. He earned his master's degree at Cornell University. Later, he received his doctorate degree in 1962. He got this degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He taught for one year at Northeast Louisiana University. Then, he started working at the University of Southern Mississippi. He stayed there for his entire career.

Scarborough's Historical Records

William Scarborough's work and papers are kept at the University of North Carolina libraries. There are many documents, about 8,500 in total. These papers include materials related to the Citizens' Councils. They help historians understand the period of segregation.

William Scarborough's Published Works

Scarborough wrote several books and articles. These writings often focused on the history of the American South. Some of his notable works include:

• Overseer: Plantation Management in the Old South
• Masters of the Big House: Elite Slaveholders of the Mid-Nineteenth-Century South

William Scarborough passed away in May 2020.