Professor David W. Dangerfield, a historian with the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, presented research at the British American Nineteenth Century History (BrANCH) Annual Conference 2023. The international meeting of historians was held at the Queens College - Oxford University.
Dangerfield’s presentation, “Performing Whiteness in Gray,” examined free non-white soldiers who served in the Confederate army during the Civil War. Dangerfield says, “These soldiers and their families were often identified in the margins between white and black.”
When they were able to “pass” as white and join the Confederate military, it helped them access a more meaningful degree of citizenship. “These soldiers should not be confused for the often-cited, mythological ‘black Confederates,’” Dangerfield added.
Professor Dangerfield shared his research as part of a panel on race in the 19th century South. The panel included other presentations from scholars Damian Sheils, Emma Gleave, and David Gleeson. Dangerfield began his scholarly career as one of Gleeson’s advisees.
Dangerfield noted that he appreciated this special opportunity to join fellow scholars and friends at one of the world’s most storied academic institutions.
“ I’m grateful to the BrANCH Committee for including me in the program and to USC Salkehatchie and the University of South Carolina Office of the Vice President for Research for supporting my scholarship,” Dangerfield said.