Walter Edgar to address Historical Society on day of retirement
After 45 years as a Carolinian, acclaimed South Carolina historian, radio host and beloved professor Walter J. Edgar is clearing his office at Gambrell Hall for retirement.
The celebrated author of “South Carolina, A History,” will end his 30 years as director of USC’s Institute of Southern Studies by delivering the opening lecture at the Historical Society Conference, hosted at USC’s Belk Auditorium May 31 through June 2.
Edgar took a moment before the lecture to share his reflections on USC’s evolution, the development of the history profession and his hopes for continuing the stories of the past in a phone Q&A with The Daily Gamecock.
TDG: What has changed about the university since you first came here in 1965 as a grad student?
WE: When I first came here, there were only about 10,000 students. Since then, we’ve evolved from a pretty good regional university into a major international research university. We’ve changed dramatically in student body, faculty and research holdings, but one of the big changes is that we have gotten larger. There are a lot of benefits with that, but back in 1965, you really knew people. That sense of community disappeared, but that’s true for most places, not just USC-Columbia.
TDG: You grew up in Alabama but spent most of your career as an expert on South Carolina. What have you found distinct about South Carolina history?
WD: If you were to ask colleagues, they would say South Carolina is the most exotic of the southern states, from its founding to the present. It was one of the most important southern states in 20th and 21st century in terms of politics, and coming back to the floor, South Carolina is still a big deal for both parties. There’s just the general culture — especially the influence of the Caribbean in the early settlers — that makes South Carolina different from most southern states.
TDG: You founded USC’s public history program in 1979. How do you think such a program benefits the university and the community?
WE: At the time, it was one of the first public history programs, which in those days was called applied history. When the program first started, many small museums were staffed by volunteers, but we produced young men and women with masters’ degrees who could go out and bring a professional viewpoint to keeping records. Today we have people working all over the state who have taken applied public history as one of their doctoral fields.
TDG: What was the common view of “Southern Studies” back then? How has it changed?
WE: Before I became director the program on campus was a study of just the Old South. My idea when I asked to be director was to look at the subject more broadly — not just past history and literature, but also economics, geography and race relations. We now have a joint appointment with the school of public health with a young professor who teaches a class about health in the South. That’s an example of how we now look at the South in many different ways.
TDG: What are your plans for after retirement? Will you stay involved at USC?
WE: After May 31 I’m moving off campus, but I am an alumnus, so I will keep up my connections in that form at USC. I’ll still be on SEBT radio, and I’ll probably do some public lecturing. But the day after my last lecture on June 1, my wife and I are headed back to Edisto and I’ll sit back on the beach and read. I have a whole stack of books ranging from the serious to beach books.
TDG: What will you miss about teaching at USC?
WE: I’ve always enjoyed being in the classroom and the interaction with students. I will miss that, but then again, I won’t be grading papers.
TDG: What thoughts went into your last public lecture as a professor, “Whose History Is it Anyway? Reaching the People”?
WE: I’ve been thinking about it in two parts. One will look at what has happened to the history profession in my lifetime. People say history is in crisis, so I’m looking at what are we doing wrong and what we are doing right. The second part is how I evolved into being a public historian. Public history has several meanings, and it’s more than just archives, museum and academic life. It’s being willing to write so the public can read what your research is about. It’s giving lectures to the public, working with government, giving media interviews — having a career outside the university, so to speak.”
TDG: What was your reaction to being invited to deliver the commencement address at one of this year’s graduations?
WE: I was delighted and pleased to have an opportunity to address one of the graduations. I decided to leave folks with a challenge, because a lot of people don’t realize what a great school USC is and what a great education they got. I told them make sure that education is around for the next generation of South Carolinians.
TDG: Any other practical advice to students?
WE: Be a part of your community wherever you land, give back to your town, to your county in some way. And read good books.