Dr AnneMarie Brosnan, Lecturer in History of Education at Mary Immaculate College (MIC), has published a new book examining the fight for Black education in North Carolina during and after the American Civil War.
A Contested Terrain: Freedpeople’s Education in North Carolina During the Civil War and Reconstruction sheds light on the vital role that Black communities, formerly enslaved individuals and their allies played in establishing schools and advancing education in the aftermath of slavery.
Drawing on extensive archival research, Dr Brosnan reveals how ‘freedpeople’—supported by Northern aid groups and the Freedmen’s Bureau—worked to create schools across the state. The book challenges long-standing narratives by highlighting the central role of Southern Black teachers, many of whom were self-taught and formerly enslaved, in shaping these early educational efforts.
The book also explores the varied motivations of white teachers who participated in the movement and how their differing perspectives influenced the educational experiences of Black students. In doing so, A Contested Terrain offers new insights into the complex educational landscape of the Reconstruction period and demonstrates how the pursuit of learning became a powerful force for social change.
Originally from Castleconnell, County Limerick, and currently living in Ballina, County Tipperary, Dr Brosnan was inspired to write this book as an extension of her doctoral dissertation, which she completed at MIC with the Department of History. As part of her research, she spent time at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, as a Fulbright Visiting Researcher, accessing key archival materials that helped shape the final work.
Speaking about the book, she said that it “explores the history of schools for former slaves in North Carolina after the American Civil War. It emphasises the collaborative efforts involved in building schools for the freedpeople and argues that each of individuals and organizations involved has their own interpretation of Black freedom and the role education should play. The analysis reflects wider trends in education history by showcasing how education can be used as both a tool of liberation and oppression, depending on who is in control”.
A Contested Terrain is Dr Brosnan first published book, although she has contributed to academic journals and presented her research at international conferences.
For European customers, the book can be purchased through Combined Academic—a 30% discount is available with the code FFF24. For US customers or those preferring an e-book version, it is available directly from Fordham University Press.
