Andrew Denson

Andrew Denson is a Professor of History at Western Carolina University (WCU), serving as Director of the Cherokee Studies Program. He specializes in Native American and United States history, focusing on public memory, Indigenous autonomy, and cultural politics. His work bridges historical scholarship with contemporary issues in Native Southern communities.

Education:

• PhD in History, Indiana University-Bloomington
• MA in History, Indiana University-Bloomington
• BA in History, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Research Focus: Dr. Denson explores how public memory shapes narratives of Indigenous peoples, particularly Cherokee history. His studies analyze monuments, historical commemorations, and the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty with American cultural politics. Recent work examines Cold War-era public diplomacy involving Native nations and Civil Rights-era reinterpretations of Cherokee Removal.

Publications: His scholarship spans monographs like Monuments to Absence and Demanding the Cherokee Nation, alongside journal articles addressing Cherokee monuments, Muskogee fairs, and Cold War Indigenous diplomacy. These works collectively critique historical narratives that marginalize Indigenous agency.

Awards/Grants: No specific awards or grants mentioned, though his academic leadership in Cherokee Studies indicates sustained institutional support.

Labs/Teams: Oversees WCU's Cherokee Studies Program, fostering interdisciplinary research on Cherokee history and culture.