James Graham Leyburn (January 17, 1902 – April 28, 1993), was an American sociologist, professor, academic administrator, and author. He was a George Washington Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he worked from 1947 until 1972.[1] Leyburn wrote ethnographic books, most notably about Haitian history and culture.[2]
James G. Leyburn | |
---|---|
Born | January 17, 1902 Hedgesville, West Virginia, U.S. |
Died | April 28, 1993 Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S. |
Education | Duke University, Princeton University, Yale University |
Occupation(s) | Sociologist, researcher, professor, academic administrator, author |
Known for | Sociology, ethnography |
James Graham Leyburn was born in Hedgesville, West Virginia.[3][4] His father was a minister at the First Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina.[5] He was a graduate of Trinity College (now Trinity College of Arts and Sciences) at Duke University, Princeton University, and Yale University.[5]
In his early career, Leyburn held teaching positions at Hollins College (now Hollins University), Princeton University, and Yale University.[3][2] He was a professor of sociology from 1947 to 1972 at University at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia; where he also served as dean from 1947 to 1956.[3] Leyburn had also chaired the sociology and anthropology department from 1947 until 1967 at Washington and Lee University.[1]
Leyburn wrote about the Haitians and the Scotch-Irish. He published several books, including a memoir titled The Way We Lived: Durham, 1900–1920 (1989).[5] He received an Anisfield-Wolf Book Award in 1942 for his book on the Haitian people.[6]
He died at the age of 91 of pneumonia in April 1993 in a hospital in Hagerstown, Maryland.[1]
The main library at Washington and Lee University is named for him, and a 2004 portrait hangs in its lobby, by artist Steven Polson.[5] Washington and Lee University has a collection of his papers.[3]
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