James Beeby, associate professor of history, was recently bestowed the title of fellow of the Royal Historical Society, the United Kingdom’s highest honor for historical academia.
The Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868 at the University of London and received its royal charter from Queen Victoria.
“It is the foremost society for defending and protecting the things of the past,” Beeby said.
There are fewer than 3,000 fellows worldwide, and the application process is highly selective and competitive.
To be awarded a fellowship, an individual must make an original contribution to historical scholarship in the form of significant published work. They must also receive a nomination from an existing fellow. The nomination then goes before a board of fellows who ultimately make a decision on the applicant.
Beeby, who has been teaching at IU Southeast for four years, said he feels humbled and honored by the award.
“Most of my professors were in the society, and all of them were brilliant academics,” Beeby said.
Beeby also credited IU Southeast and his colleagues for their support.
“My colleagues in history supported me in my research and on a personal level, and this award is recognition for IU Southeast as well,” Beeby said.
Beeby is the only professor in the Kentuckiana area to have been awarded the fellowship.
“I think the closest place you will find another fellow is in Chicago,” Beeby said.
Beeby received his undergraduate degree in history from The University of Wales and his master’s and doctorate degrees in history and American studies from Bowling Green State University.
Beeby said he believes his book, “Revolt of the Tar Heel: The North Carolina Populist Movement, 1890-1901,” was a pivotal factor in his induction into the society.
The book, which looks at race and politics in the southern United States during the 19th century, took Beeby nine years to research, write and have published.
“I spent two years looking at archives in North Carolina and one academic year looking at microfilm every day after class,” Beeby said.
“I probably have a three-drawer filing cabinet full of notes, excerpts and pictures,” Beeby said.
Beeby said it took three years to publish his work.
“For academic work, that’s pretty fast,” Beeby said.
As a professor at IU Southeast, Beeby specializes in American and African-American history, two subjects he said he has always been passionate about.
He has traveled to Ghana and Benin in West Africa studying the slave trades.
“History is about why things happened. Historians deal with issues of nature and society and the subject gives us insights into how society works,” Beeby said.
Beeby said he credits his instructors as the people who inspired him most to become a historical academic and professor, and he hopes to share his passion of the subject and inspire his students.
“I always try to challenge my students to live up to their potential and challenge misconceptions and stereotypes. They should never be the same leaving my class as they were coming into it,” Beeby said.
By MICHAEL MARCELL
Staff Writer
mdmarcel@ius.edu