Robert Colby

Dr. Robert Colby is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Mississippi's Department of History, part of the College of Liberal Arts. His research focuses on the Civil War era, particularly the domestic slave trade's survival during the war, Confederate nationalism, and the social/economic dynamics shaping African-American freedom.

Education:

• B.A. History, University of Virginia (2009)
• M.A. and Ph.D. History, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (2015/2019)

Research emphasizes slavery's persistence during wartime, using slave commerce as a lens. His work bridges economic history and social studies, analyzing archival materials to reconstruct marginalized voices. Recent articles explore topics like wartime slave economics, free Black families' experiences, and archival methodologies in slavery studies.

Awards:

• Allan Nevins Prize (Society of American Historians)
• Anne J. Bailey Prize & Anthony Kaye Award (SCWH)
• Woodward Award Finalist (SHA)

Teaching includes courses on American slavery, Civil War military history, and historical research methods. Previously served as a postdoctoral fellow at Christopher Newport University's Center for American Studies.