FVSU Research Report 2012 - Fort Valley State University

Rivers
Releases
Landmark
Slavery
Study
Fort Valley State University President Larry E.
Rivers, already considered one of the nation’s
leading experts on the subject of American slavery,
has released, through the University of Illinois
Press, another groundbreaking study. Entitled
“Rebels and Runaways: Slave Resistance in Florida,”
the book traces the complex story of slave resistance
from Florida’s 1821 purchase by the United States
until final emancipation at the Civil War’s end.
“This really grew out of the work for my earlier
book ‘Slavery in Florida: Territorial Days to
Emancipation’ (University Press of Florida, 2000),”
Rivers said. “I just didn’t have enough space there
to explore the subject of slave resistance in depth.
So, I used the opportunity of my doctoral thesis
at Goldsmith’s College, University of London, to
revisit the whole area. I tried to snatch time over
the next decade to extend the research and expand
the coverage.” He added, “I’ve been very pleased at
the reaction so far, and I hope that I’ve been able to
make a serious contribution to understanding the
heroic efforts of black men, women and children to
resist slavery’s shackles.”
The research was conducted by Rivers over more
than 30 years. “I crawled through more dusty
courthouse basements and library backrooms than
I really want to remember,” he reflected. “Mostly
it was just me in those days.” He continued, “That
doesn’t mean I haven’t benefitted from the help of
“Rebels and Runaways: Slave
Resistance in Florida” traces the
complex story of slave resistance from
Florida’s 1821 purchase by the United
States until final emancipation at the
Civil War’s end.
others; I surely have.” The award-winning scholar’s
acknowledgments list a variety of top-name scholars
along with a host of lesser-known contributors.
Leading the list is Fort Valley State’s executive vice
president and chief legal officer Dr. Canter Brown
Jr., who also holds rank as tenured professor of
history. Fort Valley State artist Rickey Calloway’s
work also is featured, including on the dust jacket.
Rivers commissioned Calloway to provide a variety
of creative images given the rarity of photographs
and other illustrations pertinent to his subject.
The research eventually paid off. “Rebels and
Runaways” offers the most complete and in-depth
study of American slave resistance ever made
available. A litany of nationally recognized scholars
attest to that fact in statements printed on the dust
jacket.
When asked where he particularly provides new
insights, Rivers sites three points he considers to be
of major significance.
First, he says, is his argument that the Underground
Railroad ran south as well as north. “Few people,”