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Submitted: 8/28/16 • Approved: 8/28/16 • Last Updated: 8/31/16 • R1153444-G0-S3
Jan 19, 1972 - Apr 18, 1943
Spouse:
Sarah Elizabeth Janney Thomas (1877 - 1963)
Married:
June 21, 1905
David Yancey Thomas was
an Arkansas historian.
Thomas helped re-establish the
Arkansas Historical Association
(1941);
He was:
the first editor of the
Arkansas Historical Quarterly;
the chair of the
Department of History at the
University of Arkansas
(for 28yrs)
was known for his
scholarly writings
Arkansas research was
difficult. Thomas urged
the preservation of
Arkansas archival
materials. He stressed
for prominent Arkansans
to deposit their papers
in the University of
Arkansas library. In the
1930s, Thomas convinced
former Governor George
Donaghey of the need to
preserve such papers.
Donaghey set up a state
fund allowing Thomas the
monies needed to buy old
newspapers and documents
and important materials for
the University of Arkansas
library.
Thomas believed educators
had an obligation
to point out problems
in the world and seek
their solutions. He did
this first hand himself!
Before and after WWI, he
represented Arkansas on
the University Committee
on Southern Race Questions,
(a regional coalition
organized to spotlight
racial problems in the South).
He condemned lynching and
investigated the 1919
'Elaine Race Riots'.
During WW I, Thomas
prepared classes
on war aims and
European history
for soldiers taking
officers' training.
In 1920, he developed
a women's civics
course for first time
female voters.
Between the world wars,
Thomas was active
in the Peace Movement.
Thomas was instrumental
in developing recognition
of Arkansas history and
in recording it.
The Arkansas Historical
Association (AHA) was
organized in February 1941.
Although he had moved to
Texas, he still edited the
AHA's quarterly journal.
Publishing the 'Arkansas
Historical Quarterly'
was financially difficult.
Thomas had to beg people for
articles, doing writing and
re-writing himself.
Membership dues were the
sole source of funds for the
Quarterly.
Contributed on 8/28/16 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 1153444