In memoriam: Julian Pleasants

We are saddened to learn that Julian Pleasants, a key historian of 20th century North Carolina and two-time UNC Press author, has died.

Pleasants was the acclaimed author of Frank Porter Graham and the 1950 Senate Race in North Carolina (1990; “One of the great tales of postwar American politics, now told for the first time at book length”—Washington Post), and Buncombe Bob: The Life and Times of Robert Rice Reynolds (2000; “What Pleasants has delivered is a meticulously researched, carefully delivered and thoughtfully crafted assessment of Richard Rice Reynolds and his place in North Carolina history”Charlotte Observer).

He also published books with the University Press of Florida, the University of Kentucky Press, and the University of Georgia Press.

Julian taught for many years at the University of Florida, where he was director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program (one of the pioneering oral history programs in the country), and read manuscripts for UNC Press occasionally in that capacity.

We send our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.