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Educated in Tyranny: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s University edited by Maurie D. McInnis and Louis P. Nelson

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Slavery was as much an integral part of the early life of the University of Virginia as it was of the entire life of its founder, Thomas Jefferson. Nine scholars contributed to this book that estimates that over one hundred slaves lived on the campus of the University of Virginia throughout the almost fifty years it existed before slavery was abolished. “Little, if any, previous scholarship has explored the horrific abuse endured by enslaved people working at Southern colleges in the lead-up to the Civil War . . .  It’s now coming to light... [ Educated in Tyranny draws] on years of painstaking scrutiny of archival records, which U-Va. made available as part of its ongoing attempt to grapple with its slaveholding past” - Washington Post. “[A] complete appreciation of the University of Virginia entails learning hard truths. This... collection examines that truth, of the enslaved people who constructed the buildings and served the young men who were studying the precepts of liberty. Essays look at slave labor, violence, free blacks and the university as a bastion of pro-slavery thought. It includes eye-opening realities such as medical students robbing the graves of slaves. The book's tragic truths are important in understanding this Virginia institution.” – Boomer Magazine.Educated in Tyranny is fascinating, well-written, and well-argued. The book is a very important landmark in the ongoing work on the history of slavery at universities. It also demonstrates the power of collaborative projects in uncovering such histories. McInnis and Nelson offer a powerful reflection on the process that the University of Virginia has undertaken, and a powerful record of the ways in which the institution has chosen to honor and claim this difficult history.” Leslie M. Harris. “A model of engaged and compassionate scholarship, drawing upon prodigious research and ingenious methods, Educated in Tyranny is essential to understanding the University of Virginia. This is a book written by people who care deeply about the University, who are devoted to telling its story honestly and fully. -  “Edward L. Ayers. The co-editors: Maurie D. McInnis is Executive Vice President and Provost at the University of Texas and the author of a previous book on slavery. Louis P. Nelson is Vice Provost for Academic Outreach and Professor of Architectural History at the University of Virginia and co-editor of a previous book on slavery.

Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019. 259 pages with an Index, Foreword by Marcus L. Martin and Meghan S. Faulkner, Introduction by Maurie D. McInnis, and color photos. 7.25” X 9.5” hardback in dust jacket.