UNC rudely rejected abolitionist professor

On this day in 1856: Benjamin Hedrick, chemistry professor at the University of North Carolina, publishes a defense of his abolitionist views in the North Carolina Standard of Raleigh.

In response, the faculty denounces him, the board of trustees dismisses him and an unsuccessful attempt is made to tar and feather him at an educational conference in Salisbury. Hedrick, a native of Davidson County, flees to New York and spends the rest of his life in the North.

 

One thought on “UNC rudely rejected abolitionist professor”

  1. The North Carolina Collection Gallery featured the Hedrick “indiscretion,” the term used by UNC president David L. Swain, in a recent exhibit on academic freedom and freedom of expression at UNC. We’ve got some documents related to the affair here:

    http://go.unc.edu/Li3j2

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