John Spencer Bassett | |
|---|---|
 Bassett in 1891 | |
| Born | September 10, 1867 Tarboro, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 28, 1928 (aged 60) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Johns Hopkins University |
| Occupation(s) | Professor, historian |
| Employer(s) | Trinity College, Smith College |
| Spouse |
Jessie Lewellin (1866–1950)
(m. 1892) |
| Children | 2, including Richard H. Bassett |
John Spencer Bassett (September 10, 1867 – January 27, 1928) was an American historian. He was a professor at Trinity College (today Duke University), and is best known today for the "Bassett Affair" in 1903 when he publicly criticized racism among Southern elites, and called Booker T. Washington, "all in all the greatest man, save General Lee, born in the South in 100 years." Despite widespread outrage, the college trustees refused to accept Bassett's resignation by a vote of 18 to 7. After Trinity, he became a professor of history at Smith College in Massachusetts.[1] and was the executive director of the American Historical Association for many years.
- ^ Doherty p 28-29